高齡長者之全人健康照護概念與介入措施

Holistic Healthcare for the Aged: Concepts and Strategies

醫療科技的進步使得人類壽命延長，全球急遽邁向高齡化社會，臺灣老化情形亦相當嚴重。高齡化社會的挑戰除增加醫療與照顧成本外，亦加重退休基金與社會福利制度的負擔，並需要大量訓練有素的醫療照護人員以及友善健全的長期照顧體系。然若僅是加強醫療給付與長期照護，只會延長不健康的老年生活年數，並將拖垮國家財政。為因應全球高齡化時代的來臨，應及早做好高齡全人照顧的準備，讓高齡者維持健康、獨立，延長其社會功能。有鑒於此，若能同時倡導全民注重高齡全人健康照護，加強健康促進，將健康年數增加，便可延後高齡老人失能狀況。本文先分析台灣高齡者屬性與世界衛生組織所提出的高齡全人健康照護概念，再依據世界衛生組織於2016年所提的「老化與健康全球性策略及行動計畫」，討論促進高齡者身心健康、發展高齡友善環境以及強化長期照護架構並建議發展高齡全人健康照護模式的措施。期對我國走向活躍老化、成功老化與維護高齡者自尊與高品質的生活有所助益。

Advancing medical technology continues to extend the average human life span, resulting in population aging globally as well as in Taiwan. The challenges posed by aging society increase not only medical and care costs but also the burden on pension funds and the social welfare system. In addition, there is currently a desperate need for many well-trained health providers as well as a friendly and comprehensive long-term care system. However, attention should not simply focus on medical payments and long-term care, as this may prolong the length of unhealthy living years for the aged and further strain national finances. Holistic healthcare for the aged should be introduced as early as possible in order to respond effectively to global aging by assisting the aged to maintain their health, to live independently, and to extend their social functions. The purposes of this report are to: 1. analyze the demographic characteristics of Taiwanese older adults; 2. introduce the concept of holistic healthcare as advocated by the World Health Organization (WHO); 3. discuss the promotion of physical-psychological health and the development of age-friendly environments; 4. strengthen the framework of long-term care policies; and 5. recommend the development of a holistic healthcare model for the aged based on the WHO Global Strategy and Action Plan on Aging and Health, announced in 2016. We hope to facilitate active aging, successful aging, self-esteem, and a high quality of life for the elderly in Taiwan.