As Taiwan enters a super-aged society, dementia has become one of the most pressing public health challenges facing local governments. In Chiayi County, where people aged 65 and above account for 24.39% of the population, officials have chosen not to view aging as a burden, but as an opportunity to innovate and lead.
The results have been remarkable. According to the Chiayi County Health Bureau, the county achieved a dementia diagnosis rate of 90.57% in 2025 — one of the highest in Taiwan. Even more impressively, Chiayi reached the “Dementia-Friendly 888” benchmark in 2022, surpassing the national “Dementia-Friendly Taiwan 777” goal years ahead of schedule and establishing itself as a national leader in dementia care and prevention.
An integrated care model from screening to support
Chiayi County Health Bureau Director Chao Wen-Hua attributes this success to a comprehensive, integrated dementia care system.
The county government has brought together public health, social welfare, civil affairs, and education agencies under a Dementia Action Plan Task Force. Through community-wide screening, mobile assessment services, home visits, and case management, residents with cognitive impairment can be identified and connected to care at an early stage.
Dementia-friendly initiatives have been implemented in townships, including Minxiong, Liujiao, Lucao, Yizhu, Xikou, and Fanlu. To date, more than 9,000 dementia cases have been identified and connected to services. The county has also established 30 dementia community service centers, three dementia care coordination centers, one designated dementia care center, one group home, 97 community health service sites, and 28 day-care centers, creating a comprehensive support network that enables older adults to remain in their communities with dignity and security.
In addition, the Chiayi County Government has established the Chiayi County Long-term Care Center, which integrates healthcare, long-term care, and social welfare services. The center provides care assessments, resource referrals, and family support services tailored to individual needs, helping to reduce the burden on caregivers while enabling people living with dementia to remain safely in their familiar communities.
Building a community where everyone becomes a caregiver
In Chiayi County, dementia care extends far beyond hospitals and clinics — it has become a community-wide movement.
Since 2020, the county has promoted Dementia-Friendly Villages across multiple townships. Today, more than 8,395 Dementia-Friendly Angels and 512 Dementia-Friendly Organizations have joined the effort, forming a broad support network throughout local communities.
These volunteers come from all walks of life, including postal workers, police officers, firefighters, taxi drivers, shop owners, students, and local residents. They are trained to follow a simple four-step approach — Observe, Ask, Stay, and Call — to assist individuals who may be lost or experiencing dementia-related difficulties.
One of Chiayi County’s most innovative programs trains postal workers as dementia guardians. Because mail carriers regularly interact with older residents, they are uniquely positioned to identify behavioral changes and provide early referrals. In Xikou Township, drivers of the community taxi service, known as “Happy Taxi,” have also joined the initiative. Meanwhile, 30 junior and senior high schools have incorporated dementia-friendly education into their programs, helping foster awareness among younger generations.
Creative public education reduces stigma
One of the greatest barriers facing people with dementia is often not the disease itself, but the misunderstanding and stigma surrounding it.
To promote awareness, the Health Bureau has launched a variety of creative educational campaigns, including a Taiwanese-language animated video introducing the ten warning signs of dementia, a community-themed short film, a children’s picture-book animation titled “Grandma’s Sticky Notes,” and a dementia-awareness podcast series.
By using familiar languages, relatable stories, and accessible media, these initiatives have helped increase public understanding while encouraging greater empathy toward individuals living with dementia and their families.
Learning from the world, sharing with the world
Chiayi County’s vision extends beyond local achievements. The county has actively sought international collaboration to strengthen its dementia prevention efforts.
In May 2026, Chiayi County hosted the International Dementia-Friendly Exchange Forum, bringing together experts from Taiwan and abroad, including Professor Ryosuke Shigematsu of Chukyo University in Japan. Participants shared best practices and explored strategies for creating healthier aging societies.
Inspired by Japan’s healthy longevity policies, Chiayi has introduced the “Square-Stepping Exercise,” a scientifically designed physical activity shown to improve cognitive function and reduce the risk of dementia. The program is now being incorporated into community health initiatives throughout the county, demonstrating Chiayi’s commitment to applying global innovations to local needs.
A model for dementia-friendly communities
From its integrated healthcare system and extensive community support network to its innovative public education campaigns and international partnerships, Chiayi County has demonstrated that population aging can be addressed with creativity, compassion, and collaboration.
As countries around the world search for effective responses to dementia and aging populations, Chiayi offers a compelling model. Once known primarily for its agricultural heritage, the county is now gaining recognition as one of Taiwan’s leading examples of dementia-friendly and age-friendly development.
By placing people, families, and communities at the heart of its policies, Chiayi County is showing how a society can age with dignity, resilience, and hope.
Follow us on X, Facebook, or Pinterest
