In the face of Taiwan’s dual challenges of population aging and declining birthrates, “aging in place” has become the central direction of the nation’s long-term care policy. How to support older adults in living safely, independently, and with dignity in familiar home environments has become a critical issue of shared concern across society.
According to statistics from the Ministry of the Interior’s Real Estate Information Platform for the first quarter of 2025, the average housing age nationwide has reached 33.23 years, with more than 55% of residential buildings over 30 years old. These figures reveal that many older adults live in environments that no longer fully meet safety and functional requirements, potentially hindering daily mobility and social interaction.
To address this pressing issue, the Architecture and Building Research Institute (ABRI), Ministry of the Interior, organized the Academic Symposium on Integrating Design of Healthy Aging Residential Spaces and Assistive Devices on the afternoon of August 27, 2025, at the 15th-floor International Conference Hall of the Dapinglin Joint Development Building. The event invited several domestic and international experts to share their insights, including Ms. Yoshiko Shimomoto, President of the Natural Heartful Care Network (Japan), who delivered a keynote lecture titled “Care and Spatial Facilities: The Development of Japan’s Medical and Welfare System.” Other presentations included Mr. Tsai Chun-Ming, General Manager, on “Planning for Residential Infrastructure and Assistive Devices in a Super-Aged Society,” and Professor Li Tung-Ming on “Integrating Design of Healthy Aging Residential Spaces and Assistive Devices.” A panel discussion followed, engaging multiple scholars and specialists in in-depth exchanges.
The symposium attracted approximately 230 participants, generating lively discussions and sparking innovative ideas and practical strategies. The event was met with enthusiastic recognition from attendees and concluded successfully amid active exchanges and warm applause.
The seminar attracted around 230 participants, who engaged enthusiastically in discussions that sparked innovative ideas and practical strategies. The event received highly positive feedback from attendees and concluded successfully with lively interaction and warm applause.
Sources: Ministry of the Interior
