Caring for the Aging - A Social Exchange Perspective on Taiwan’s Shared Care Model - Part of Vol. 9 - No. S2

Sep 29, 2026

Global population aging, expected to rise by 34% to 2.1 billion by 2050, intensifies long-term care demands and strains families, healthcare systems, and governments. In Taiwan, about 840,000 people need long-term care, with responsibilities often falling on family or outsourced caregivers, causing financial and emotional pressure. The shared caregiving policy lets multiple patients share one shift-based caregiver. Using social exchange theory, the study finds high satisfaction among registered nurses, nursing aides, and families, noting subsidized costs, reduced stress, and improved job satisfaction, while emphasizing sustained government funding.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background and policy context

Social exchange theory and outcomes

Implications and future directions

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 1005 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.3390 CARING FOR THE AGING: A SOCIAL EXCHANGE PERSPECTIVE ON TAIWAN’S SHARED CARE MODEL Shu-Chuan Jennifer Yeh1, and Ying-Ying Lo2, 1. National Sun Yat-sen University, Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan (Republic of China), 2. I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Kaohsiung, Taiwan (Republic of China) The global population aged 60 and above is expected to grow by 34%, reaching 2.1 billion by 2050 (WHO, 2020), bringing significant challenges to families, healthcare systems, and governments. As aging populations face rising rates of chronic 1006 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, and dementia, the demand for long-term care increases, straining healthcare infrastructures globally. In Taiwan, approximately 840,000 individuals require long-term care, affecting 11% of families. Care responsibilities often fall on family members or outsourced caregivers, leading to financial and emotional strain, a trend observed in many countries facing similar challenges. To address this, the Taiwanese government has implemented a shared caregiving policy, allowing multiple patients to share one caregiver. This model reduces financial burdens on families and provides caregivers with shift-based work to prevent burnout, rather than continuous 24-hour care. Personal caregivers typically cost NT$2,400 per day, creating financial stress for families, while caregivers often face exhaustion. Using social exchange theory (Cook, 1987; Thibaut & Kelley, 1959), this study evaluates the shared care policy’s impact, revealing high satisfaction rates among registered nurses (88%), nursing aides (81.5%), and families (82%). The policy subsidizes caregiving costs, reduces stress, and improves job satisfaction for healthcare professionals. By balancing the costs and rewards for caregivers and families, the policy fosters a fairer exchange of resources and labor. While the policy has addressed caregiver shortages and improved caregiving standards, sustainable government funding remains essential for its long-term success. Future efforts should focus on ensuring financial stability and refining the policy.

FAQs

What long-term care problem does Taiwan’s shared caregiving policy target?

The policy targets the increasing need for long-term care as Taiwan’s aging population grows, and the resulting financial and emotional strain on families and caregivers.

How does the shared care model work in practice?

It allows multiple patients to share one caregiver, using shift-based work rather than continuous 24-hour care to help prevent burnout.

What results does the study report for registered nurses, nursing aides, and families?

The study reports high satisfaction rates: 88% among registered nurses, 81.5% among nursing aides, and 82% among families.

Sep 29, 2026

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