According to data from the 2021 Aging Society White Paper by the Ministry of Health and Welfare,the current population with long-term care needs in Taiwan is around 800,000, and it is projected to exceed 1 million by 2026.

The National Development Council estimates that Taiwan will enter a super-aged society by that time, meaning that one in every five people will be aged 65 or older.

This signifies that the number of elderly individuals requiring care is increasing, while the active middle-aged and working-age population is decreasing. This not only places significant pressure on caregivers and families, but also presents an unhealthy trend for the overall society and national resource

According to statistics from the National Development Council, Taiwan currently has around 220,000 foreign caregivers, with domestic home care workers numbering about 80,000. With long-term care needs expected to surpass 1 million people within the next five years, the supply of caregivers will inevitably fall short.

Therefore, another angle to approach this issue is by reducing the demand for care, which should be our focus. The question should shift from "How do we care for the elderly?" to "How do we prevent the elderly from needing care?"

On one hand, we can educate future seniors to prepare by strengthening their health and bones early on, rather than waiting until they become disabled and then applying resources. On the other hand, for those with mild disabilities, the current common practice is to offer meticulous care right away. However, this approach deprives them of the opportunity to practice daily skills. When someone has help with eating, dressing, using the restroom, and bathing, they may ultimately lose their ability to be self-sufficient.  The correct approach should be to seize the golden period of recovery, using rehabilitation or assistive devices to help them regain their independence and, most importantly, preserve the dignity that comes with self-sufficiency.

Source: National Development Council

In response to an aging population and the increasing burden of care, the government launched the Long-Term Care 2.0 policy in 2017. This initiative expanded services and beneficiaries, offering support to more people in need, ensuring a safer and more secure path for caregiving.

Under the Long-Term Care 2.0 program, various assistive devices are included, such as those for personal mobility, preventing pressure ulcers, home living, personal care, and protection.
Citizens can call the 1966 Long-Term Care hotline, and after an assessment, they will receive a subsidy approval letter. They can then visit government-authorized stores to purchase the assistive devices.

EZ66 is an authorized store for government long-term care and disability subsidies.It brings together a wide range of over 100 subsidized assistive devices, including shower chairs, walkers, wheelchairs, air mattresses, electric beds, and more, providing a convenient purchasing experience for the public.