The elderly do not have to be placed in institutions such as nursing homes. They can also age in a familiar community with other elderly people! In conjunction with long-term care 3.0, the Ministry of Health and Welfare is promoting the trial establishment of "Symbiotic Homes", allowing elderly people who are not related by blood and who are not familiar with each other to live together, and will introduce resources such as long-term care and home medical care. It is expected to be piloted in 12 locations across the country, with Dongshi Symbiotic Home taking the lead. Currently, 4 elders have stayed, and the target is 6 people. Family members come to assist with care during holidays, and 8 hours can be exchanged for 2 days of respite services.
Trial operation at 12 locations across the country, Dongshi Symbiosis House takes the lead
After former Taichung City Deputy Mayor Lin Yiying left office, she devoted herself deeply to tribal affairs. She established the "Braham Symbiotic Care Labor Cooperative" in the Daguan Tribe of Heping District, Taichung City to train long-term care workers locally so that tribal residents can receive home care nearby. In line with central government policies, they further established a symbiotic home in Dongshi.
Lin Yiying said that the symbiosis home originated from the "Kasan House" in Japan. Yu Shangru, a doctor at Dulan Clinic, brought the Japanese "Kasan House" concept back to Taiwan, and it was further incorporated into the policy by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Therefore, she also sent people to Japan for training, hoping to implement this concept in Taiwan step by step.
Lin Yiying said that the spirit of Symbiosis House lies in life, which is to make long-term care a life, rather than being cared for. Because people have the power of self-healing and the power of family support, allowing patients to maintain vitality will make people different, and elders can age in place; good care will not let patients just lie in bed. Symbiosis House provides humanistic care and is currently the best solution for long-term care in Taiwan. Family members can also help as volunteers and get a chance to breathe.
Family members volunteer during holidays and get 2 days of respite service for 8 hours
Currently, Dongshi Symbiosis House rents unused private steakhouses to build a home for the elderly to live together. Since it is still in the trial stage, its funding source mainly relies on charity donations.
Lin Yiying said that a man was injured in a car accident and was unable to walk. His family members sent him to a nursing home to recuperate. In order to prevent him from falling, the nursing home simply tied him up. This was very uncomfortable for the patient who was conscious. Since the family members themselves were caregivers, they asked the patient to go to a symbiotic home. Living at home, the patient recovered well and now walks without crutches. There was also a stroke patient who lived in a nursing home. As a result, he lay in bed every day and developed three bowl-sized pressure sores all over his body. After being sent to the Symbiosis Home, the pressure sores gradually improved and now only a small wound remains. In addition to having in-home caregivers to help take care of the elders, the Symbiotic Home also has cooperating home doctors who come to visit regularly to take care of the health of the elders.
