Two-way cooperation between National Chung Cheng University and social organizations to build long-term care human service resources
Jun 01, 2023
As Taiwan's population ages, the demand for long-term care resources has significantly increased. On the 1st, the Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society at Chung Cheng University signed a cooperation agreement with the Chinese Community Development Association for the Elderly and the Chinese Liji Care and Service Association. Moving forward, the three parties will focus on developing dignity and welfare services for the super-aged society through industry-university exchanges, education and training, and community promotion. Their joint efforts aim to cultivate more care workers, ensuring that long-term care resources and services are evenly distributed and reducing the gap between urban and rural areas.
According to the Ministry of the Interior's April statistics, four counties and cities in Taiwan have officially entered a super-aged society, with the elderly population over the age of 65 accounting for 20% of the total. Among them, Chiayi County has the highest elderly population, accounting for 21.86% and making it the oldest county in Taiwan. On this day, Hao Fengming, director of Chung Cheng University's Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society, Zhao Daojun, chairman of the China Elderly Community Development Association, and Huang Caiwang, chairman of the China Liji Care Service Association, signed the cooperation contract.
Hao Fengming mentioned that the China Elderly Community Development Association and the China Liji Care Service Association have extensive experience in conducting counseling courses in other regions. Interestingly, the Yunjia District lacks such courses. Therefore, by allying with the Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society, the two associations are pioneering the field of care counseling. They aim to overturn the concept of old-age dependence and move towards a society that emphasizes dignity, self-reliance, and welfare.
Zhao Daojun and Huang Caiwang emphasized the importance of long-term care manpower training. In the initial stages, the three parties will use the important national policy of "one country, one high school district, one day photo" to create an overall community care system. Zhao Daojun explained that students who pass the course will receive a long-term photo certification card. According to government regulations, the certification is valid for six years, and holders need to reapply every six years. To be eligible for an extension, they must complete 120 points of "continuing education courses" within the period.
The Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society pointed out that the current capacity and resources for nursing care are insufficient. The three parties that signed the contract will collaborate on long-term care-related training courses. Another goal is to provide more human resources to the care centers. The course is practice-based, focusing on training and caring for people with dementia and disabilities. The first care attendant course is expected to commence on September 2, and registration details can be found at https://lin.ee/kup63PR. Chung Cheng University is also expected to offer credit courses starting in November.
Chung Cheng University boasts over 30 years of experience in aging research and local practice. In recent years, it has established the "Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society," connecting industry, government, academia, and research to collaborate on multiple application innovation projects. The center has also established an elderly-friendly demonstration area and aims to promote a dignified care support system throughout the life course. The Chinese Community Development Association for the Elderly has long focused on elder community participation and active aging, while the Chinese Liji Care and Service Association is dedicated to "dignified aging, self-reliance support, and care for the disadvantaged."
Center for Innovative Research on Aging Society stated that the three parties share a common intention to make a stronger impact and help the entire society. They aim to jointly build a professional long-term care service industry system, develop high-quality care manpower, improve the quality of social welfare services, advocate awareness of social welfare rights and interests, and enhance the overall service system.