Shuangtan Community Care Center in Miaoli's Sanyi Township Celebrates Father's Day with Cake Cutting and Mountain Songs, Joined by Magistrate Chung Tung-jin

The Shuangtan Community Care Center in Sanyi Township, Miaoli County, currently serves over 100 elderly residents and ranks among the top in the county in terms of operating days and service scale. Seniors actively participate in its programs. Today (3rd), the community development association and care center jointly held an early celebration for Father's Day, inviting Magistrate Chung Tung-jin and local dignitaries to join elders in cutting a birthday cake and singing mountain songs in festive spirit.

Magistrate Chung emphasized that as human lifespans extend, society must seriously address and properly manage dementia. The county government is preliminarily planning to establish a 'Dementia Home' near Houlong Health Bureau, offering comprehensive medical and caregiving services.

Li Jui-ji, team leader of the Shuangtan Community Care Center, stated that the center was established in May 2018 and currently operates every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. It is supported by 34 volunteers with an average age over 80, serving more than 100 seniors, including nonagenarians and centenarians. Thanks to regular donations from local businesses, organizations, and individuals, as well as fresh produce contributed by residents, all programs, activities, and shared meals are offered free of charge to seniors.

With Father's Day approaching, the center followed tradition by gathering community members and elders for the celebration. Today, 15 tables were set up to honor fathers, while 30 meal boxes were prepared for elders with mobility challenges, ensuring they too could share in the festive joy. Four elders over 90 attended and received commemorative gifts from Magistrate Chung. Despite some mobility limitations, several elders were accompanied by family or caregivers, demonstrating strong community cohesion.

Upon arriving at Shuangtan Community, Magistrate Chung first joined the village chief, representatives, township mayor, and county councilor in paying respects at Houtian Temple. Later, elders and volunteers warmly welcomed guests at the entrance. Elders invited attendees to jointly cut a cake to celebrate Father's Day early. Chung, who often encourages seniors to participate in center activities, led the crowd in singing a Hakka 'pingban' mountain song, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere.

Chung noted that the township gained fame through the classic film 'The Story of a Small Town' and is internationally renowned for its woodcarving art. As Sanyi is originally a Hakka township, he encouraged elders to speak Hakka at home with their descendants to preserve the mother tongue.

Chung expressed admiration for Li Jui-ji's proposal to establish a dementia care station but suggested that site selection should be jointly determined by the county and township governments. He pointed out that with advances in medical technology, people who prioritize health can live longer unless affected by major illness or accidents. He urged seniors to go outdoors, participate in center activities, speak more, and sing to stay happy and delay aging.

However, longevity brings the serious challenge of dementia, and the government has a duty to create high-quality environments with comprehensive medical and caregiving support for dementia patients. Chung added that currently, only one dementia group home exists in Nanzhuang. The county has also established an integrated medical-care retirement home in Zhongping, Tongluo, with an adjacent health station providing immediate medical services. The ultimate goal is for elders to recover and return home after a period of care.

Additionally, the county is negotiating with central authorities to establish a 'Dementia Home' on a 2-hectare site near Houlong Health Bureau. Using modern medical technology and caregiving services, the facility aims to slow disease progression and, if possible, alleviate symptoms. The county government pledged to work diligently to realize this project.