慈濟長者健康促進並預防及延緩失能計畫――環保活動與社區關懷據點

Tzu Chi Health Promotion Initiatives for Older Adults to Prevent and Postpone Disability: Recycling Program and Community-Based Care Centers

臺灣人口結構快速老化，至2018年3月底正式邁入高齡社會。3百多萬老年人口（即65歲以上長者人口）中，其中失智症人口約8％（約26萬人左右）；失能人口，則是推估2012年之42萬人上攀至2031年之93萬人，增加1倍以上。本文將說明慈濟志業體，為了延長長者健康平均餘命，減輕家屬與醫療系統負擔，如何運作環保站環保活動和社區關懷據點，以達到預防及延緩長者失能失智效果。慈濟環保站的環保志工，透過精細的垃圾分類、簡單的搬運與同儕長者互動，不僅有益於長者身心健康，還為地球做環保，讓長者從中找到自我實現價值。長期追蹤的量化研究結果指出，參與環保站環保活動，不僅能改善長者的憂鬱症、對於自己以及他人的悲憫程度及自身的幸福感，還能降低血壓及對他人的敵意感，有提升的效果。為了進一步了解環保活動對長者的益處，慈濟醫院與國民健康署合作「107年度預防及延緩失能失智照護計畫」，以花蓮、新店及大林等慈濟醫院附近環保站作為計畫施測地點。透過計畫執行並分析其效果之後，未來期望能擴大到至其他環保教育站，協助更多長者一同參與「做環保身心都健康」的行列。社區據點關懷，包含帶領長者健康促進、趣味課程、共餐服務等，另將慈濟人文融合於活動中。在預防勝於治療的概念之下，期待讓長者遠離失憶、失能的情形，可以「照常」自在的生活，而不成為「長照」的對象。 With increasing growth rate of aging population, Taiwan has officially entered the stage of an “aged society” around the end of March in 2018. Older adults with dementia account for approximately 8% (260,000) of total population of elders (more than 3 million). The percentage of older adults with disability is estimated to be doubled from 2012 to 2031. This study illustrated that in order to prolong older adults’ HALE (Healthy Life Expectancy) and reduce burden of caregivers, the medical system of Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation has implemented the recycling program and community-based care centers to prevent disability/dementia or postpone deterioration of diseases among older adults. Tzu Chi Recycling Program (TCRP) promotes wellness and environmental sustainability. A longitudinal study was conducted by medical professionals at Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital suggested that older adults who participated in recycling activities at Tzu Chi recycling stations, their hypertension and depression were improved significantly through sorting and moving recycled materials as well as interacting with other recycling volunteers/peers on site. These older volunteers also gained self-realization and had higher level of happiness as well as compassion for others and for themselves after one-year participation of TCRP. To promote benefits of TCRP among older adults, Health Promotion Administration under Ministry of Health and Welfare collaborated with Tzu Chi Hospitals with recycling stations nearby to develop an initiative “2018 Prevention and Postpone of Disability and Dementia among Older Adults.” This initiative was pilot tested at recycling stations located in Hualien, Xindian, and Dalin close to Tzu Chi Hospitals. The purpose of this initiative is to encourage more older adults who live in nearby neighborhoods participating in the recycling program to promote their physical and mental health. Moreover, centered on humanistic culture, Tzu Chi’s community-based care centers provide health promotion activities, art programs, and shared meals. These programs aim at improving older adults’ ability to take care of themselves independently and they could live the ways they want rather than become longterm care recipients who have to depend on others.