Taipei Veterans General Hospital Fenglin Branch Opens 'Yiyuan Long-term Care Facility' to Promote Local Aging

Central News Agency, Li Xianfeng, Hualien, 27th. The Fenglin Branch of Taipei Veterans General Hospital has officially opened the 'Yiyuan Long-term Care Facility' after a six-year preparation period, supported by over NT$226 million from the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 'Public Resource Construction Plan for Residential Long-term Care Institutions.' The opening ceremony was attended by officials including Chu Chien-fang, Director of the Long-term Care Department of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and Yen Teh-fa, Minister of the Veterans Affairs Council. Chu stated that the funding helped revitalize old buildings into a residential care facility, enhancing capacity in central Hualien and realizing the policy of 'aging in place.' Yen noted that the project overcame challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and material shortages. The Hualien County Health Bureau noted that 29.88% of Fenglin's population is over 65, marking a super-aged society. Yiyuan provides 180 beds to serve the local community. Hospital President Chen Wei-ming expressed hopes that the facility would integrate community resources and introduce assistive technology to reduce caregiving burdens.