Rapidly ageing Taiwan further eases curbs on foreign caregivers
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As of March 2024, Taiwan had 910,000 people aged over 80, 41.7 per cent of whom were disabled in some way.
PHOTO: PIXABAY
TAIPEI – Taiwan will loosen restrictions on hiring foreign live-in caregivers, as a historically low birth rate leaves seniors struggling to find long-term support.
The government will amend rules so that those aged 80 and above with long-term medical histories or disabilities will no longer need functionality assessments before they can hire a foreign helper, Deputy Labour Minister Wang An-pang told lawmakers, reported the official Central News Agency.
The restriction revisions will be made in September, benefiting roughly 55,000 people.
Taiwan is one of the world’s fastest-ageing societies, with births in 2023 slumping to a record low. As at March 2024, Taiwan had 910,000 people aged over 80, 41.7 per cent of whom were disabled in some way, according to data cited at the same legislative hearing.
There is debate about whether to completely remove the Barthel Index assessment of a person’s functionality. But Mr Wang said there are only 210,000 foreign live-in caregivers in Taiwan, and suggested waiting until there are more caregivers before further easing restrictions.
Taiwan in 2023 eliminated the Barthel Index functionality assessment for certain people, including those with mild dementia or under long-term care for over six months. Some 32,000 individuals benefited from the change. BLOOMBERG
