埔里菩提長青村的經驗：與社會投資觀點的對話

本文主要探討長青村的運作，討論它因應大型災難而生的特殊運作經驗，並與社會投資觀點進行對話，以期在面臨未來新的風險時能為台灣老人照顧帶來的新的思考。研究方法採主題分析法，以個別訪談和團體討論為主，輔以參與觀察之資料。研究發現，長青村以非正式立案機構的實驗區之形式協助處於社會救助「邊緣」長者。其存在15年的事實真實地反應台灣底層社會邊緣人口的需求，也顯示台灣既有的長照機構法規在面對社會劇烈變遷所產生的新風險上之回應不足與造成的社會排除。長青村「老有所用」的運作方式，鼓勵長者健康老化和獨立生活。而從長者照顧衍生的生產性，其產值不應只是運用貨幣價值衡量，也須關照所創造的社會價值。長青村存在的意涵反應安養體制也須突破傳統保護和照顧的思維，提供創新措施、預防取向及友善與始能環境協助長者活躍老化。

關鍵字

社會投資；長青村；活躍老化；健康老化； 921地震

並列摘要

Bodhi Chang-Ching Village was established in Puli in response to the emerging needs of older people following the 921 earthquake in 1999. The authors report an analysis of the village’s dialogue with the European Union regarding the development and reflective implications of social investment for long-term care services in Taiwan. A thematic analysis was employed to interpret data from individual interviews and group discussions. Fieldwork notes served as supplementary data for this analysis. Although Bodhi Chang-Ching Village is an unregistered association, it has taken care of its marginalized, elderly population for 15 years. The authors draw attention to the social exclusion of some older people and to their lack of access to care services, which has created a need for services that are better targeted to older people. Bodhi Chang-Ching Village actively mobilizes the productive potential of older people by encouraging healthy aging and independent living. The social value of senior citizens cannot be defined simply by how much money they earn. Instead, it should be stressed that older people have an important role to play in the society. Bodhi Chang-Ching Village exemplifies the benefits of fostering a change in both policies and attitudes to promote creative initiatives and build enabling environments that encourage active aging.