Kaohsiung's Taoyuan District Opens Yani Day Care Center, Boosting Indigenous Long-Term Care Coverage Over 92%

Kaohsiung's Taoyuan District celebrated the opening of the Yani Day Care Center, marking a significant milestone in expanding long-term care services for its indigenous population. This facility is the first professional day care center in the Taoyuan Junior High School district.

The establishment of the Yani Day Care Center has boosted the long-term care coverage rate in the three indigenous districts (Taoyuan, Maolin, and Namaxia) to over 92%. This expansion aims to alleviate the caregiving burden on tribal families and bring essential services closer to residents.

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The establishment of the Yani Day Care Center has boosted the long-term care coverage rate in the three indigenous districts (Taoyuan, Maolin, and Namaxia) to over 92%.

The project involved a substantial investment of over NT$16.25 million. Funding was secured through NT$13.818 million from Taiwan's Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program and NT$2.439 million from the Kaohsiung City Government. Construction faced considerable challenges due to severe weather, including multiple strong typhoons that impacted the mountainous region.

To ensure the highest safety and accessibility standards, an additional NT$2 million was allocated for enhancements such as an accessible ramp on the first floor, waterproofing on the fourth floor, and fire-resistant upgrades to the rooftop. In line with the principle of "indigenous people caring for indigenous people," the center prioritizes hiring local indigenous youth as caregivers, drivers, and professional staff, providing specialized day care for individuals with cognitive and physical impairments, along with transportation services.

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Taoyuan District is vast and transportation is relatively inconvenient, and the construction of long-term care resources has always faced severe tests. The city government coordinated across departments and inventoried the idle space on the fourth floor of the Taoyuan District Evergreen Cultural and Recreational Center, located in the center of the school district, for transformation and planning. Today's opening implements the central government's policy of 'one day care center per junior high school district' and creates a fortress for local elders to grow old in place.