In an effort to improve the quality of care for the island's rapidly ageing population, Taiwan is taking a page from Japan and launching an internationally recognized professional certification for dementia caregivers. Roughly one out of every 100 people in Taiwan has dementia, making dementia caregiving a crucial issue in the long-term care industry. The certification program aims to standardize the quality of such care.
In-home caregiver Tsai Ning-yi is being awarded a certificate that certifies her as a professional caregiver of people with dementia, more specifically her parents. In an effort to better understand the disease, she decided to join the training program and successfully passed the certification exam.
Tsai Ning-yi
In-home Caregiver
When my mother and I went to see my father at the hospital, my mother suddenly disappeared. I was terrified. I initially decided to take the certification course to learn more about the disease. I wasn't aiming to get certified.
As of 2016, Taiwan's population of people with dementia has reached 260,000 people, which equates to one out of every 100 people. In 25 years, that number is estimated to increase to 670,000 people, making training professional dementia caregivers an urgent priority for Taiwan.
Chen Liang-kung
Taiwan Assoc. of Integrated Care Director
After passing the certification exam, the certificate awarded will be recognized internationally by other countries that have launched the program, which includes countries such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines and Indonesia.
This professional certification program will allow Taiwan to effectively improve the quality of care for dementia patients in the country.
FORMOSA NEWS
http://englishnews.ftv.com.tw/read.aspx?sno=020B8EA366D02CD0A6C2FFF746EC1ABF