Civil Organization Proposes 'Dementia Basic Law'; Calls for Governance Elevation to Executive Yuan
The Taiwan Alzheimer's Disease Association (TADA) released a draft 'Dementia Basic Law' to address the surging elderly dementia population, urging for a national policy framework.
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- 📰 Published: April 26, 2026 at 22:01
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Facing a 'silver tsunami' where the dementia population is expected to double, the Taiwan Alzheimer's Disease Association (TADA) today announced its draft 'Dementia Basic Law.' TADA is calling for the establishment of a legal foundation and the elevation of policy governance to the level of the Executive Yuan to build a comprehensive policy framework and a symbiotic society capable of responding to the dementia crisis.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the prevalence of dementia in Taiwan is about 7.99%. As of 2024, approximately 350,000 people over 65 have dementia. This number is projected to rise to nearly 880,000 by 2061. TADA estimates that by then, 1 in every 9 elderly individuals will have dementia, posing a significant challenge to medical care, long-term care, and the overall social support system.
TADA officially released the draft 'Dementia Basic Law' today, urging the state to establish an institutional foundation with legal status. This would clarify national responsibilities and strategic directions. Simultaneously, elevating governance to the Executive Yuan would strengthen cross-departmental coordination and integration, further protecting the rights of dementia-affected families and improving prevention and support systems.
The TADA version of the draft was developed over two years of analysis and consultation with experts from the US and Japan. Consisting of 29 articles, its core focus includes respecting the individual value of persons with dementia, maintaining autonomy and equality, and promoting a symbiotic society. A major highlight is the elevation of management to the Executive Yuan, which would serve as the coordinating body, establishing a 'Dementia Policy Promotion Group' for cross-departmental collaboration. The draft also mandates a policy review every year and an update every five years to ensure responsiveness to social needs.
Furthermore, the draft seeks to build a comprehensive framework covering social awareness, friendly and barrier-free environments, social participation, security, legal protection, and human resource development. TADA Chairperson Hsu Wen-chun noted that while Taiwan has issued policy guidelines since 2013, the lack of legal authorization has led to structural limitations. Secretary-General Chen Chun-ching expressed hope that this draft will be integrated into the legislative process to shape a legal framework that best protects affected families.
According to statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the prevalence of dementia in Taiwan is about 7.99%. As of 2024, approximately 350,000 people over 65 have dementia. This number is projected to rise to nearly 880,000 by 2061. TADA estimates that by then, 1 in every 9 elderly individuals will have dementia, posing a significant challenge to medical care, long-term care, and the overall social support system.
TADA officially released the draft 'Dementia Basic Law' today, urging the state to establish an institutional foundation with legal status. This would clarify national responsibilities and strategic directions. Simultaneously, elevating governance to the Executive Yuan would strengthen cross-departmental coordination and integration, further protecting the rights of dementia-affected families and improving prevention and support systems.
The TADA version of the draft was developed over two years of analysis and consultation with experts from the US and Japan. Consisting of 29 articles, its core focus includes respecting the individual value of persons with dementia, maintaining autonomy and equality, and promoting a symbiotic society. A major highlight is the elevation of management to the Executive Yuan, which would serve as the coordinating body, establishing a 'Dementia Policy Promotion Group' for cross-departmental collaboration. The draft also mandates a policy review every year and an update every five years to ensure responsiveness to social needs.
Furthermore, the draft seeks to build a comprehensive framework covering social awareness, friendly and barrier-free environments, social participation, security, legal protection, and human resource development. TADA Chairperson Hsu Wen-chun noted that while Taiwan has issued policy guidelines since 2013, the lack of legal authorization has led to structural limitations. Secretary-General Chen Chun-ching expressed hope that this draft will be integrated into the legislative process to shape a legal framework that best protects affected families.