TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Eighty-six social welfare organizations in Taiwan have urged the government to allocate part of last year's tax surplus for elderly long-term care.
Taiwan's tax revenue last year reached NT$3.76 trillion (US$125.33 billion), with a surplus of NT$528.3 billion, according to the Ministry of Finance. The organizations said the government should use the surplus to increase the caregiving workforce, raise salaries, improve evaluation systems for long-term care facilities, and promote self-care models for the elderly, per CNA.
The organizations said the government has promoted long-term care for the elderly for 18 years. With Taiwan entering a super-aged society this year and the elderly population accounting for 20% of the total, they said the number of caregivers is insufficient to meet the growing demand for long-term care services.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare estimates Taiwan's long-term care demand will exceed 940,000 people this year, a 3.3% increase from 2024. The organizations said there are around 50,000 caregivers nationwide, with only 1,800 under 25.
Caregiver numbers in Taiwan grew 1.7% in 2023. However, the growth rate slowed to 1.3% in 2024. The organizations cited inadequate promotion opportunities and insufficient salaries as key factors behind the labor shortage.
The Taiwan Home Service Strategic Alliance said the tax surplus could help increase the home care service workforce and attract young individuals to the industry. They also called for reforming caregiver salary standards, which have remained unchanged for eight years.
Taiwan's long-term care facility evaluations, conducted every four years, include document reviews, on-site inspections, and interviews. The alliance called for the evaluation system to incorporate third-party agencies to improve assessment accuracy.
The alliance said most elderly people in Taiwan live at home, emphasizing the importance of strengthening the self-care model. This approach includes assistive devices, improved living environments, and support from therapists and caregivers to help seniors maintain self-care skills.
