Good News for Elderly in Remote Areas! Taipei Veterans Hospital Fenglin Branch Launches 'Yi Yuan' Long-Term Care Facility, Introducing AI to Reduce Workload

The Taipei Veterans General Hospital Fenglin Branch has launched its affiliated 'Yi Yuan' residential long-term care facility this year. The hospital has introduced portable X-ray machines, 12-lead electrocardiograms (ECG), echocardiography, and artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted image interpretation into daily care operations, centering on the concept of 'integration of medical care and elderly support.' This initiative aims to ensure that seniors' health is properly monitored even in remote areas where medical resources are limited.

Originally established as the 'Taiwan Provincial Tuberculosis Sanatorium,' the Fenglin Branch came under the administration of the Veterans Affairs Council in 1958. To respond to the challenges of a super-aged society, the government is promoting the Long-Term Care 3.0 Policy, strengthening community-based care models to enable aging in place. This policy provides continuous, diverse services ranging from family support, home care, and community care to institutional care, aiming to build a universal care system that improves quality of life for both care recipients and caregivers.

'Yi Yuan' was renovated from an idle ward building within the hospital grounds and is part of the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 2019 'Subsidy Program for Establishing Public Residential Long-Term Care Resources.' It received approval in 2022 for a subsidy of over NT$226.13 million, obtained its establishment permit on April 23, 2023, and officially opened on May 27, 2023. Currently, 'Yi Yuan' offers 180 beds of residential long-term care services.

FVC Vice Chairman Fu Cheng-cheng recently visited the facility for inspection. Dr. Hu Tsung-ming,院长 of the Fenglin Branch, presented how AI is currently being applied in smart elderly care. Dr. Hu emphasized, 'True care goes beyond physical assistance—it is about safeguarding human dignity.' Located behind the main medical building of the Fenglin Branch, 'Yi Yuan' operates on the principles of aging in place and holistic care. With AI support, personalized rehabilitation and care plans are designed based on each resident’s health condition upon admission. Designed with the concept of 'home' in mind, the facility provides a safe, comfortable, and warm living environment, giving families peace of mind and residents a sense of security.

Hualien faces severe population aging, compounded by youth migration, leading to soaring demand for long-term care. However, due to its remote location, care services remain insufficient. Even nurses often hesitate to work in such distant areas. To overcome these challenges, 'Yi Yuan' has introduced portable X-ray machines, 12-lead ECG, echocardiography, and AI-assisted image interpretation to reduce staff burden through technology.

Dr. Chen Yu-chun, Deputy Superintendent of Taipei Veterans General Hospital Yuli Branch, stated that 'AI does not replace doctors but helps frontline staff detect abnormalities earlier.' The hospital has implemented AI-powered chest X-ray interpretation capable of identifying abnormalities such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and lung tumors. During Yuli Branch’s annual health check-up in August 2023, AI successfully detected hidden cases early, preventing large-scale transmission. Additionally, existing X-ray images are used for AI-based screening of osteoporosis and degenerative arthritis, allowing adjustments to rehabilitation intensity and activity levels accordingly.