臺灣活躍老化政策的現況與未來發展

Active Ageing Policy in Taiwan: Present and Future Development

臺灣隨著人口快速老化與少子女化，將面臨疾病負擔與失能風險增加、國民醫療保健體系負擔沉重、勞動力銳減、以及老人經濟安全體系財務負擔沉重之挑戰。世界衛生組織提出「活躍老化（active ageing）」概念與策略來回應高齡社會帶來的挑戰。歐盟發展「活躍老化指數（active ageing index）」作為提供政策制定者可以發展以證據為基礎的策略之工具，以回應人口老化之挑戰。受到國際上活躍老化發展趨勢之影響，臺灣高齡政策也趨向活躍老化。本文將從中央政府政策指導綱領、中央各部會政策、以及地方政府與機構措施等三個層面來介紹臺灣活躍老化政策的現況與未來發展。臺灣活躍老化政策大多能夠呼應獨立、健康及安全生活、社會參與、就業、以及活躍老化能力及有利的環境等活躍老化指數之指標。衛生福利部發展活躍老化監測暨決策支援系統將有助於臺灣活躍老化政策之施政策略調整參考依據。

As aging and low natality progress, Taiwan is facing heavier burden of disease, higher risks of disability, financial pressure on the health care system, shrinking labor force, and unsustainability of the pension systems. In response to an aging world, the World Health Organization proposed the concept of Active ageing, and European Union developed Active Aging Index as the strategy to cope the problems. In the same vein, Taiwan also takes the policy of active aging in responding to the aging issues. In this essay, we will examine the trajectory of active ageing policies, and look into the prospect by drawing on the guiding principles promulgated by the Central Government, the policies adopted by the cabinet, and the programs and projects implemented by the local governments and civic society. We found that the active aging policies in Taiwan are in line with the indexes for an independent, healthy and secure living for the elderly people, and social participation, employment, capacity and enabling environment for active ageing. The monitoring and policy-making supporting system for active ageing developed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare will be able to assist in the development and implementation of such policies.