AI enters the long-term care scene: Fenglin Branch of Hualien Veterans Hospital's Yiyuan hopes to fill the gap in rural specialist care

The Yiyuan long-term care facility, part of the Taipei Veterans General Hospital Fenglin Branch in Hualien, Taiwan, is pioneering the use of Artificial Intelligence and portable medical technology to bridge the gap in specialist healthcare for the elderly in the region. The facility, which opened in May, focuses on an "integrated medical and care" approach, bringing advanced diagnostic tools directly to residents.

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AI's role is not to replace doctors, but to help the front line see abnormalities earlier.

AI plays a crucial role not as a replacement for doctors, but as an assistant for early detection of abnormalities. The facility employs AI for interpreting chest X-rays, identifying potential issues such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, and lung tumors. This technology was instrumental in identifying hidden cases during annual health checks at the Yuli Branch in August, preventing potential outbreaks. AI is also used to screen for osteoporosis and degenerative arthritis using existing X-ray images, allowing for tailored rehabilitation and activity plans.

The initiative addresses a significant shortage of specialists in eastern Taiwan. Fenglin Township lacks a cardiologist, and southern Hualien, with a population of about 47,000, has only one. High-risk cases often require long-distance transfers. By using AI-assisted cardiac ultrasounds, general practitioners can now perform initial image acquisition and functional assessments. Similarly, the scarcity of bone densitometers, with only nine in Hualien and Taitung combined, makes AI screening vital, especially given the high prevalence of osteoporosis among seniors in the region.

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The best long-term care is to make the elderly feel like they have just moved to a new place, but are living better than before.

Beyond medical diagnostics, Yiyuan incorporates smart technology into daily living. Smart tags, intelligent mattresses, and fall-detection radar allow residents to move freely within the facility and green spaces without restrictive traditional barriers. Physiological signal analysis, including heart rate variability, helps caregivers understand potential underlying physiological factors contributing to agitation, silence, or poor sleep, enabling personalized recommendations for diet, exercise, and companionship. These systems are developed in collaboration with companies like Quanta Computer and national research institutions.

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The best long-term care is to make the elderly feel like they have just moved to a new place, but are living better than before.