Social welfare utilization and needs of older adults in Taiwan: Survey research
Introduction
Rapid population aging is a global phenomenon; it has become an issue of growing concern across countries . A longer life expectancy, accompanied by rapid increases in the rates of chronic diseases and the changes in family structure, have made long-term care for older adults an urgent issue for government and society. Understanding the needs of older adults would be the foundation for successful long-termcare and social welfare policy making.
According to a United Nations report (2008), by the year 2000, the elderly global population had reached 600 million, accounting for 10% of the total population, and it was estimated to increase to 2 billion by 2050, comprising up to 21% of the total population. The elderly population is expected to quadruple in size from the year 2000 to 2050; those aged 80 and over would nearly quintuple. Therefore, the government of the United States has paid close attention to the welfare policy for older adults since the late 20th century. Moreover, the United Kingdom also has begun to examine the welfare of older adults