Donggang and Xiaoliuqiu Care Centers Unveiled, Bringing Pingtung's Total to 424

(CNA, Pingtung County, May 21, by reporter Huang Yu-ching) Pingtung is promoting its "One Village, One Center" policy to create an age-friendly living environment. Today and tomorrow, unveiling ceremonies are being held for community care centers in Donggang Township's Chaoanli and Liouciou Township's Nanfu Village. As of now, the total number of community care centers in the county has reached 424. Pingtung County Mayor Chou Chun-mi, attending the Chaoanli ceremony today, stated that community centers provide important spaces for local elders' health promotion, communal dining, and social participation. They also serve as key hubs for community emotional connection and family support. She encouraged elders to step out of their homes and into these "community big families," and to use their senior citizen card points to travel together, delay aging, and expand their social circles. Cheng Hui-chun, a volunteer at the Chaoanli center, shared the story of an elderly woman with dementia who initially sat quietly in a corner, looking anxious. With the patient companionship of volunteers and peer interaction, she gradually opened up. Now, she not only actively helps with measuring blood pressure and wiping tables but has also regained her confidence and sense of value through repeated experiences of "being needed." This change also inspired her daughter-in-law, who accompanied her, to transition from a family member to a volunteer, joining in community service. According to a press release from the Pingtung County Government's Social Affairs Department, the Donggang Township Chaoanli Welfare Promotion Association established the community care center in July 2023. Initially, they borrowed space at Chaodong Hall to serve the elderly. Although the space was small and lacked air conditioning, the elders and volunteers always participated enthusiastically. With assistance from the Donggang Township Office, the center has now successfully relocated to the old health clinic, where it continues to operate in a more spacious and brighter environment with significantly increased service capacity. The Social Affairs Department added that a new community care center has also been established in Liouciou Township's Nanfu Village. Through the efforts of Nanfu Village Chief Peng Li-kuei, the Liouciou Township Nandao Community Care Association was formed. It began trial operations as a functional care center last October. With guidance from the county government and curriculum resources from the Liouciou Township Senior Learning Center, its services have been highly praised locally, leading to its official upgrade this year to a subsidized care center and long-term care station. Now, elders in Nanfu Village can participate in health promotion and meal services at the community activity center every Tuesday and Thursday morning. Concurrently, the Social Affairs Department noted that as of the end of April this year, Pingtung County's elderly population (65+) had reached 172,636, accounting for 22.13% of the county's total population, classifying it as a super-aged society. Through the unveiling events, the county government also introduced important welfare benefits and equipment for the elderly, including emergency rescue systems, senior citizen cards, mobile life rehabilitation vehicles, and denture subsidies. (Editor: Liang Chun-ti) 1150521