Taiwan celebrates Chongyang Festival with diverse elderly care initiatives

Various regions and organizations across Taiwan are conducting diverse activities to honor the elderly in observance of the Chongyang Festival, highlighting the nation's transition into a super-aged society.

In Taitung, the county government has launched a pioneering program where professional fitness coaches visit the homes of elderly residents living alone to provide personalized exercise guidance. The initiative also incorporates technology, such as AR equipment and Nintendo Switch games, into community centers to encourage physical activity. In Nantou, the county government held a ceremony to honor 1,386 couples for their long-term marriages, including gold, diamond, and platinum wedding anniversaries.

Local governments in Hualien and Tainan are also providing direct support. Ji'an Township in Hualien is facilitating the distribution of elderly respect subsidies through bank transfers and home delivery services for those with limited mobility. In Tainan, officials visited centenarians to present gifts and subsidies.

Community and educational efforts include the Changhua Post Office donating rice to vulnerable seniors in Xihu Town, and Fangshan Township organizing a wedding-themed event for 36 elderly couples to fulfill long-held dreams of wearing wedding attire. Additionally, Yuan Ze University partnered with local government to host craft activities and campus tours, fostering intergenerational connection between students and community seniors.