Dementia Issues Gain Attention; Legislative Yuan to Review 'Dementia Basic Law' Drafts

Taiwan has entered a super-aged society, and the issue of dementia is receiving significant attention. The Legislative Yuan's Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee is scheduled to review three versions of the 'Dementia Basic Law' draft on the 28th, submitted by the KMT caucus, the TPP caucus, and DPP legislator Lin Yue-chin and 18 others. All three versions propose establishing a cross-ministerial promotion mechanism at the Executive Yuan level, with the Premier serving as the convener. A 2023 epidemiological survey by the National Health Research Institutes found that the prevalence of dementia among people aged 65 and over in Taiwan is 7.99%. The drafts call for the establishment of a dementia prevention and care white paper, a basic plan, and mechanisms for early detection and intervention. The KMT version emphasizes support for young-onset dementia, while the version by Lin Yue-chin and others includes provisions for mild cognitive impairment and judicial protection. The TPP version specifically calls for the establishment of a NT$10 billion 'Dementia Promotion and Care Fund'.