簡述臺灣長期照護現況與挑戰

Current Situation and Challenges of Long-term Care in Taiwan

蔡宗益(Tzung-Yi Tsai) ； 李荔芳(Li-Fang Lee) ； 林庭光(Tin-Kwang Lin) ； 蕭伊祐(I-Yu Hsiao)

《台灣老年醫學暨老年學會雜誌》 14卷1期 (2019/02) Pp. 44-50

https://doi.org/10.29461/TGGa.201902_14(1).0004

摘要

台灣人口老化是近年重要的社會議題，隨著老年人口和功能障礙者日益增多，其相關長期照護需求不斷攀升，此現象恐對政治、經濟及文化發展帶來嚴峻衝擊。回顧國內過去長期照護十年計畫，長照服務發展相當薄弱，但外籍看護工卻快速增長，可知待遇與工作條件不佳，難以吸引國內人力投入長期照護。「長期照護十年計畫2.0」於2016年9月獲得立法院通過，大幅擴增適用對象和服務項目，然而一旦面臨財政虧損，勢必影響福利給付，以致加重長期照護之負荷。本文將簡述台灣長期照護現況與挑戰，期望藉此讓民眾了解其發展，並期許政府應妥善運用有限預算，落實弱勢的失能者、照護者及失能者家庭必要的長期照護措施。

關鍵字

長期照護 ； 長照計畫2.0 ； 挑戰

並列摘要

Population aging has become an increasingly crucial social issue in recent years, especially in Taiwan. The gradual but steady rise in its elderly and disabled populations has triggered a corresponding growth in the demand for long-term care (LTC) services in Taiwan, which in turn can bright about severe political, economic, and cultural impacts. However, after the implementation of the 10-year LTC project, there is still considerable room for improvement in the development of Taiwan’s LTC system in spite of the increase in the number of foreign workers. This situation reveals the failure to attract qualified workers to engage in LTC services due to low wages and poor working condition. The LTC Plan 2.0 promulgated in September 2016 has significantly expanded the coverage in terms of provided services and eligible recipients. Nevertheless, financial sustainability remains a critical issue that may cripple the implementation of the plan in the future. Through an overview of the current LTC situation and challenges in Taiwan, the study strives to provide constructive suggestions to help citizens better understand related LTIC issues and to assist the government in planning effective strategies for establishing a solid, financially sustainable LTC system capable of providing the needed care for the elderly, the disabled, and their families and caregivers.

並列關鍵字

long-term care ； Long-term Care Plan 2.0 ； challenges