Mobility, Bathing, and Monitoring: Long-Term Care Technology Assistive Device Rental Subsidy of NT$60,000

(Central News Agency, Taipei, July 1) The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) is launching a new comprehensive rental system for smart technology assistive devices for long-term care (LTC) starting today. This system covers four major categories: mobility, bathing and excretion, home care beds, and safety monitoring. The first batch of 17 products has passed review and will be included in the benefit, with a total rental subsidy of NT$60,000 every three years.

According to MOHW statistics, from January to December 2025, a total of 617,375 individuals received LTC payment and support services. Among them, 139,733 individuals used assistive devices and home accessibility improvement services. Wu Hsi-wen, deputy director of the MOHW's Long-Term Care Administration, told CNA today that after LTC recipients undergo medical rehabilitation or functional recovery, their physical functions and degree of disability may change, requiring adjustments to assistive device needs.

To allow the public to flexibly replace assistive devices according to their needs, reduce the burden of one-time purchases, and improve care quality, the MOHW has introduced a second set of comprehensive rental benefits for smart technology assistive devices, amounting to NT$60,000 every three years. This includes up to NT$20,000 for home accessibility improvement services and applies to five major categories of smart technology assistive devices: mobility, transfer, bathing and excretion, home care beds, and safety monitoring.

Wu Hsi-wen pointed out that the first batch of reviewed and listed assistive devices includes 17 items across four major categories: mobility, bathing and excretion, home care beds, and safety monitoring. The review mechanism will continue to expand the product range in the future. In addition to the new second set of comprehensive rental benefits for smart technology assistive devices, the existing first set of traditional assistive device purchase and rental benefits of NT$40,000 every three years will remain. The rental benefit mechanism allows for a choice between the two, and individuals can select based on their needs.

Wu Hsi-wen stated that the comprehensive rental system for smart technology assistive devices will help enhance the independent living abilities of individuals with disabilities, reduce the burden on family caregivers, provide more flexible and diverse care support through rental, and improve resource utilization efficiency through circular use, thereby driving the development of the smart technology assistive device rental market. In the future, the MOHW will continue to promote the integration of smart technology into LTC services to build a more comprehensive and resilient LTC service system.

Wu Hsi-wen advised that individuals eligible for LTC services and with related needs can contact the LTC service hotline 1966 or the LTC management centers in each county and city for inquiries about application methods and service content. Those assessed as needing LTC level 2 or above, confirmed by a Class A assistive device assessor as suitable and eligible, and who provide an assistive device assessment report, can apply for smart technology assistive device services. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150701

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