Government-contracted home long-term care with Care Companion: health care you can count on

Statistics show Taiwan will become a super-aged society in 2025, when the population aged 65 and over reaches 20.6%. The Ministry of Health and Welfare projects that as Taiwan enters super-aged status in 2026, the share of older adults in the total population will keep rising—expected to exceed 30% by 2039 and reach 43.6% by 2070. Caring for elderly family members has become a critical issue for many households. Most older adults today choose to remain in the familiar surroundings of home, and how to provide quality care while easing the burden on families and supporting caregivers has become an important issue.

Long-Term Care 3.0 expands home care services

Home care preserves a familiar living environment
Living at home not only supports older adults' emotional stability but also spares them the stress of adapting to unfamiliar surroundings.

Contracted providers can tailor service plans
Based on the older adult's health status and lifestyle, and beyond the basic subsidized items, personalized care plans can be designed around caregivers' needs.

Promoting family harmony
Shared family caregiving lets relatives take part in care while lightening the load, spending more precious family time with their elders.

Effectively reducing infection risk
Older adults need not shuttle in and out of facilities or hospitals; professional care at home effectively reduces the chance of infection.

Long-term care services are designed to help older adults and other eligible individuals who need assistance with daily living. To apply for contracted home care, call 1955 to request an assessment. Eligibility criteria:

*Age criteria: adults aged 65 and over, Indigenous people aged 50 and over, and people with dementia aged 55 and over. In special circumstances—such as severe functional decline caused by major illness or accident—those below these ages may be included after professional assessment.  

*Specific physical and mental conditions: regardless of age, anyone whose daily functioning has partially or fully declined due to illness, accident, or other causes. The degree and scope of functional decline, for example:

• Unable to independently complete three or more activities of daily living (ADLs).
• Requiring assistance from others to complete basic daily functions.
• Diagnosed by a physician with a specific condition (such as dementia or Parkinson's disease) that affects daily functioning.

*Health and functional status:

1. Professional assessment must confirm at least one of the following difficulties: inability to fully perform basic daily activities on their own (such as eating, toileting, bathing), or physical decline requiring professional nursing or rehabilitation services.
2. Ongoing care support may be needed due to chronic illness, functional decline, or accident. Six major indicators—cognitive function, mobility, nutrition, vision, hearing, and depression—are included in the assessment for a more complete picture of the older adult's condition.

*Financial criteria:

1. Low- and middle-low-income households: eligible for additional subsidies and reductions.
2. Financially disadvantaged families: must provide supporting documentation to qualify for subsidies.
    

Four highlights of home long-term care services

1. Daily living care: peace of mind at home, worry-free living
   Professional care attendants visit to assist with bathing, dressing, feeding, and more, helping older adults maintain basic living abilities while preventing accidents caused by limited mobility.
2. Accompanied medical visits and outings: no more worrying about who will go along
   Whether attending community activities, taking a walk, or seeing the doctor, professional caregivers accompany them all the way, letting family members plan their own lives with confidence.
3. Home safety assessment: creating a safe, comfortable home
   Professionals help review the home environment and recommend accessibility features such as grab bars and non-slip mats, so older adults can move around home more safely.

Short-term respite services: the family's strongest backup

Short-term substitute care gives primary caregivers a chance to rest and recharge, so they can keep supporting their elders in better shape.
Long-Term Care 3.0 encourages contracted providers to offer diverse services such as remote care, in-home rehabilitation, nutrition counseling, and psychological support. The Media-WIND Care Companion long-term care institution passed Taipei City's contracted home long-term care accreditation in February 2025 and will combine digital health technology to deliver home care companion services.