Taiwan opens first hospice ward in disability care center

台灣首間身心障礙照顧中心安寧病房落成

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ai-Wei Mercy Home for Disabled in New Taipei has opened a hospice ward, the first in Taiwan to provide palliative and end-of-life care within a disability care center, the New Taipei Department of Social Welfare announced Tuesday.

Operated under the department’s supervision, the center cares for more than 160 residents, with an average age of about 50. Most are unable to care for themselves or have limited mobility.

Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Social Welfare Hsu Hsiu-neng (許秀能) said the hospice ward was established in response to families’ requests to accompany loved ones through their final stages without frequent hospital transfers. The facility works with the palliative care team at Mackay Memorial Hospital’s Tamsui branch to provide comprehensive end-of-life services.

Chao Chia-lun (趙嘉倫), director of Yonghe Cardinal Tien Hospital — which manages the mercy home for the city government — described the ward as a pioneering model for integrating palliative care into a disability care institution. The partnership with Mackay aims to give patients and families compassionate support throughout their final journey.

Ai-Wei Mercy Home Director Chien Mei-ting (簡美婷) said 28 residents have signed do-not-resuscitate orders and eight have completed advance directives. For residents without family, the facility has arranged farewell ceremonies and natural burials to honor their dignity.