Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/12/08
By: Lung Pei-ning and Christie Chen

Taipei, Dec. 8 (CNA) Several dementia groups in Taiwan on Tuesday called for better government policies to tackle the challenge of a growing dementia population.

The number of people with dementia in Taiwan is expected to almost quadruple in 46 years, increasing from 240,000 at present to 930,000 in 2061, Lai Te-jen (賴德仁), president of the Taiwan Alzheimer Disease Association, said at a press conference held by dementia groups to give policy advice to Taiwan’s presidential candidates.

The dozen or so groups demanded that the new government next year establish a working group for dementia care and prevention, increase the budget for dementia research and establish a national dementia research center.

They also urged the candidates who are elected to office next year to promote a dementia-friendly society and strengthen dementia care training for healthcare staff and long-term caregivers.

The Dementia Care Association, Taiwan, Republic of China, and Zeelandia Dementia Association were also among the groups making the call.     [FULL  STORY]