English
【Project Zone Articles】
Taiwan has reached an ageing society, the industry, government and academia are aware of issues relating to health maintenance and welfare of the elderly, such related topics have also become one of the main focus our project. "Smart Aging" is a project hoping to serve more senior citizens. In schools and universities, we conduct courses to assist students to apply their majors and professions into the elderly field, in order to serve the senior citizens. We have different spots (offices, gymnasiums and more) outside universities for students to practice and interact with the elderly in Taipei. By doing so, we are not only training our students to assist the elderly, but we also encouraging the seniors to come out to be connected with the society again.
【Cross-Domain Innovation of Curriculum】
- Smart Aging Courses
“Senior Citizen physical fitness and guidance”
This course provided theories of basic senior counselling in order for the students to understand the status of the elderly and in order to engage a positive and meaningful conversation while encouraging them during exercise training. This course also provided theories on physical fitness for senior citizens, as well as physical training activities to assist students with a better understanding on how to coach senior citizens in different spots outside campus.
"Life History of the Middle Aged and Elderly"
The course introduced the literary works to assist students not only with a better understanding of middle-aged and elderly people in present Taiwan, also, we created an environment for student to get a chance to experience the seniors had experienced when they were young by introducing the music, snacks, fashion trends and games of their times.
- Workshops
Our workshops included "Elder and Adult Care Workshop ", "Elderly Health Promotion Programs and Workshops", and "STEM‧X cross-domain Courses Promoting Walking Workshop " . These workshops provided a better understanding in how to take care of the elderly. These courses also provided opportunities for students to step out of the campus and be with the elderly. By doing so, we believed it could create a stronger connection between our students and the senior citizens who were interested in these courses.
【Cultivate Professional Talents: Practicum 】
- The "Elderly Walking Instructor Training " on March 22 and April 18, 2020, which co-organized with Taipei Xinyi Sports Center. Physician Dr. Guo Jian lectured the theory and Prof. Wu Shiwei guided the practice training, about 50 people participate in these two courses.
- The " Plants and Fitness " held the lecture in Daan Forest Park on June 19, 2020, Prof. Lee Jiang Ming, and Prof. Lee Guoyuan introduced STEM-X , learning science, biology, mathematics and art in an natural environment, and combined these activities in Daan Forest Park. In the park, students achieved different missions, they had recognized plants and their functions, found hidden plants and made art crafts with different kinds of leaves.
- The "Close to Nature: Xiangshan Farm" on July 9th, 2020, was organized and lectured by Mrs. Huang Shengying, a therapist from Asia-Pacific Horticultural Therapy Association. Mrs. Huang introduced different plants and its nutrition values. Students made art crafts, soaked leaves into sunbath water and later washed their hands or faces with it.
【Community Service Spots】
"Senior Citizen Sports Instructor Training "
This training focused on students’ ability to understand body measuring instruments (In-body data). Students were trained not only to read the data, but also be able to explain the data to the elderly. The purpose of this was to increase the body awareness and be able to provide relevant exercises, course or suggestions for the elderly.
【Qian Mu's Former Residence Senior School】
This course was co-organized with QMFR Senior School. This course focuses on life and art. During the course, we introduced zentangle drawings to stimulate the brain, flowers and plants to stimulate the senses of smell and touch and fitness training to build muscles. These activities were designed to allow the elderly to experience active exercises and also the calmness within their minds.
【Healthy Meals 】
We provided meal boxes with less oil, less salt and high fiber and proteins. These meals were provided in hoping the elderly have a balanced diet. The first trial (May 12-22, 2020) aimed for age 50 above, which received a positive feedback of 82.3% satisfaction. The second trial (May 26-June 12, 2020) aimed on the recipes, which received a positive feedback of 84.8% satisfaction. We are currently on the third trial, with meals aiming for elderly with a regular exercises habit.
【Middle to Senior Age Issue Learning Community】
This community invited different professions delivering speeches on contemporary issues of the elderly. One of the speeches emphasized on elderly loneness, depression and suicide. The other focused on the crisis of the elderly and the problems they are facing. These speeches invited not only the students but also elderly to join. During these speeches, the elderly was encouraged to share their own experiences and also to contribute to the conversation. The students were also encouraged to share their thoughts and gave feedbacks on what they’ve seen or felt. The aim of this community was to provide a better understanding and communication for both generations.
【AI-Innovative Healthy Community】
This is an ongoing project, hoping to benefit home alone senior citizens, and others who needed an immediate care. Our project co-organizes with ministry of health and welfare, the “Health Manager” APP aimed to collect a data of the senior citizens in Taipei, Taiwan, in order to get a basic model of the health status of the senior citizens in Taipei, and to have a possible risk prevention on individual senior citizens. The “Health Manager” APP included physical data like height, weight, BMI, daily walking steps and sleeping hours. Emotional data like daily moods, satisfaction. Users could great personal groups to invite members to participate in different activities, to develop more social connection among the elderly. The App also served an educational purpose, with articles, websites, toolboxes for the elderly to use when needed.