City News
Date : 2026-03-27 Source : New Taipei City Government
Hou You-yi Visits Leading Aged Care Provider in Australia, Gaining Insights into Innovative Dementia Care
[New Taipei City News] In response to global population aging and the rising prevalence of dementia, New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi led a city delegation to Sydney, Australia, to visit HammondCare, a renowned international provider of aged and dementia care services. Through on-site observation and exchanges, the delegation gained in-depth understanding of global trends in dementia care, drawing valuable insights to support New Taipei’s advancement of Long-Term Care 3.0 and dementia-friendly city policies.
Hou noted that cities worldwide are facing the dual challenges of rapid population aging and increasing demand for long-term care. As one of the most populous cities in Taiwan, New Taipei must actively engage in international exchange to learn from advanced care models and system design. He emphasized that the visit was not only an opportunity for governance exchange, but also a chance to draw from HammondCare’s extensive practical experience in dementia care to explore care models suited to Taiwan’s urban context.
HammondCare is a leading non-profit organization in Australia with more than 90 years of service experience. The Wahroonga facility visited during the trip is an apartment-style residence specifically designed for older adults with dementia. Built around the concept of “home,” the facility features a shared domestic kitchen, open and easily navigable layouts, safe and accessible balcony spaces, and communal living and leisure areas. The design supports residents in maintaining daily living abilities and independence, creating a care environment that closely resembles familiar everyday life.
The New Taipei City Department of Health noted that long-term care policy must be integrated with urban planning and community design. HammondCare’s approach, which emphasizes daily life-oriented care and environmental support, enables people with dementia to maintain dignity in familiar and socially interactive settings. This model provides important inspiration for the development of urban dementia care systems in New Taipei.
The Department of Health added that the outcomes of this visit will be incorporated into future policy planning and facility development for long-term care in New Taipei. Moving forward, the city will continue to draw on international experience to explore how urban space can be integrated with professional care services, with the goal of building an age-friendly city where older adults can live with peace of mind and families can feel confident in care arrangements.
Hou noted that cities worldwide are facing the dual challenges of rapid population aging and increasing demand for long-term care. As one of the most populous cities in Taiwan, New Taipei must actively engage in international exchange to learn from advanced care models and system design. He emphasized that the visit was not only an opportunity for governance exchange, but also a chance to draw from HammondCare’s extensive practical experience in dementia care to explore care models suited to Taiwan’s urban context.
HammondCare is a leading non-profit organization in Australia with more than 90 years of service experience. The Wahroonga facility visited during the trip is an apartment-style residence specifically designed for older adults with dementia. Built around the concept of “home,” the facility features a shared domestic kitchen, open and easily navigable layouts, safe and accessible balcony spaces, and communal living and leisure areas. The design supports residents in maintaining daily living abilities and independence, creating a care environment that closely resembles familiar everyday life.
The New Taipei City Department of Health noted that long-term care policy must be integrated with urban planning and community design. HammondCare’s approach, which emphasizes daily life-oriented care and environmental support, enables people with dementia to maintain dignity in familiar and socially interactive settings. This model provides important inspiration for the development of urban dementia care systems in New Taipei.
The Department of Health added that the outcomes of this visit will be incorporated into future policy planning and facility development for long-term care in New Taipei. Moving forward, the city will continue to draw on international experience to explore how urban space can be integrated with professional care services, with the goal of building an age-friendly city where older adults can live with peace of mind and families can feel confident in care arrangements.
