Challenges of Taiwan's Aging Wave: New Solutions for Inpatient Care In recent years, the challenges of Taiwan's aging society have become more acute, and the demand for healthcare for the elderly has continued to rise.2025 A heartbreaking news story sparked a lot of discussion: a delivery worker had no choice but to leave his father at home to wait for his life to come to an end because he couldn't afford to pay for his father's hospitalized care. This is not an isolated case, and reflects the financial and human pressures that many families face when faced with hospitalized care. However, there is a solution to this dilemma! The Ministry of Health and Welfare has launched the "Health Insurance Residential Integrated Care Service", which not only reduces the burden on family members, but also provides more complete inpatient care for patients, and has become a lifesaver for many families. What is "Health Insurance Residential Integrated Care Service"? Simply put, it's a team approach to care provided by hospitals with professional caregivers and nursing assistants. Unlike traditional one-on-one private care, this service uses a "one-to-many" approach to address the basic needs of hospitalized patients, including: Cleaning and comfort care Excretory care Meal assistance Activity and safety maintenance Even better, this service is far less expensive than private care! While it used to cost at least $2,000 to $4,000 a day to hire a personal caregiver, with this program, the cost is only $0 to $1,050 a day, and even free at some hospitals, which can help families save a great deal of money. Why is this service important to you? 1. It reduces the burden on family members who don't have to stay with the patient full time, and allows them to balance work and family without the physical and emotional strain of hospital care. 2. Enhance the quality of inpatient care Professional team care allows patients to receive more comprehensive medical services and reduces the risk of medical negligence. 3. Enhance infection control and safetyHospitals manage caregivers centrally, reducing the need for family members to enter and exit the hospital room frequently and lowering the risk of infection. How do I apply? Check if the hospital is participating in the Pilot Program by using the Nursing Aid Finder to find out if the service is available at your local hospital. Check with the nursing station of the hospital Each hospital has different service scope and fee schedule, so it is recommended to check with the nursing station of the hospital directly for more information. Fill in the Informed Consent Form After the hospital has assessed the suitability of the applicant, the applicant is required to sign a consent form to enjoy the service. Which hospitals provide this service? A number of hospitals across Taiwan have joined the pilot program, including NTU Hospital, East Asia Hospital, and Kaohsiung Chang Gung Hospital, etc. Some hospitals even offer the service free of charge (e.g., NTU Hospital, Hutchinson Cancer Center, etc.). For a detailed list, you can quickly check through the "escort search engine". (Aide Finder: https://iics.familycares.com.tw/) Why is "one-to-many" care more effective? Although the "one-to-many" model is adopted for inpatient integrated care services, the quality of care provided by the professionally trained and hospital-managed ancillary caregivers is no less than that provided by private caregivers, and the risk of medical errors and infections can be effectively minimized. In addition, this model allows for a more rational allocation of healthcare resources, ensuring that every hospitalized patient receives the basic care they need. Making hospitalization less of a burden for families "Health Insurance Residential Integrated Care Services" is not only the government's response to an aging society, but also a blessing for countless families. If you or your family members are facing the challenge of hospitalization, don't miss this service! Check with your hospital to see if it's available, and let the professional team help you through this difficult time.
