Taiwan is poised to relax restrictions on hiring caregivers, aiming to accommodate the increasing demand for elderly care in its rapidly aging society.
Deputy Labor Minister Wang An-pang informed Taiwan’s legislature last week that a longstanding requirement for vulnerable elderly individuals to undergo evaluations before receiving live-in assistance from foreigners will soon be eliminated.
Similar to its East Asian counterparts, Taiwan is transitioning into a super-aged society, where individuals over 65 years old already make up approximately 18 percent of the population, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of the Interior. This demographic shift has prompted many Taiwanese families to rely on live-in caregivers, predominantly from Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia, to care for elderly relatives who can no longer live independently.
Beginning in September, the Barthel Index evaluation, which assesses patients’ functional abilities, will no longer be mandatory for caregivers assisting Taiwanese aged 80 and older who suffer from permanent disabilities, chronic medical conditions, or reside in remote areas. Taiwan’s state-owned Central News Agency quoted Wang regarding this policy change.
The Barthel Index measures an individual’s capability to perform daily activities and has been a determinant factor for families seeking to hire overseas caregivers.
Wang estimated that approximately 55,000 individuals will benefit from this policy adjustment.
Taiwan is confronting one of the world’s lowest fertility rates. Last year, the average number of children expected per Taiwanese woman over her lifetime was 0.85. While higher than South Korea (0.72), Taiwan’s rate remains below those of China (1.0) and Japan (1.2).
This shift in Taiwan’s immigration policy reflects efforts to address demographic challenges by facilitating greater flexibility in caregiving arrangements, particularly for its aging population.
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