The New Taipei City Government has completed the first dementia-friendly community in Pingxi in preparation for a rapidly aging population.
Far Eastern Memorial Hospital director Chiu Kuan-ming (邱冠明) says Taiwan’s demographics are aging and within 15 years more than one-third of the population will be over the age of 65. He adds that one in twelve people over the age of 65 and one in five people over the age of 80 are currently suffering from dementia.
Far Eastern Memorial Hospital is located in a metropolitan area and has taken the initiative to cooperate with major businesses to develop dementia-friendly facilities. The businesses include Far Eastern affiliated companies such as MegaCity, Far Eastern Department Stores, Far Eastern Telecom, and others.
The dementia-friendly training is targeted at front-line employees through workshops, scenario videos, and scripting arrangements. These materials aim to raise employee awareness of dementia, and strengthen their observation and sensitivity in the workplace.
The participants have been certified by the city health bureau and the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital as "Dementia Care Stations" and "Dementia Friendly Businesses." The hospital hopes this awareness will expand to other communities outside of Pingxi to make New Taipei a dementia friendly city.