From October 26 to October 30, 2026, Department Chair Tzu-Ying Chiu and Professor Yi-Fan Li led seven students from the Department of Health and Welfare on a study-abroad program at Kinjo University in Hakusan City, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan. Organized with the support of Kinjo University’s Center for International Regional Symbiosis, the program integrated classroom learning with field visits to bridge theory and practice. In the classroom, students participated in three second-year practicum courses. In Professor Koyoshi’s Community and Home Nursing course, they joined small-group discussions analyzing healthcare needs across five zones of Hakusan City. During Professor Terao’s Kinesiology Practicum, students tested one-leg balance and mirror-tracing to experience the neuromuscular control challenges faced by rehabilitation patients. In Professor Ito’s Daily Living Support Techniques course, they practiced bedside care, slide-sheet repositioning, and assessing body weight distribution as beds tilted. The delegation also conducted in-depth tours of four care facilities across the region. At Public Matto Ishikawa Central Hospital, a 305-bed acute regional hospital focused on seamless care transitions, students examined Japan’s mandatory referral system in contrast to Taiwan’s stepped registration fees. Nearby, they visited Okariya, a sunlit multifunctional older adult facility combining post-acute care, short-term stays, apartments, and long-term care under one roof. The trip extended to Mikawa Anzu no Ie, a Type B employment support facility training individuals with disabilities in paper box assembly and can recycling. Lastly, they toured Yatano Factory and Group Home Yatano, operated by the Kyoyukai Social Welfare Corporation, which features an industrial laundry workshop, game console refurbishment, and an 18-resident dementia group home maintaining a high one-to-three caregiver ratio. These comparative insights highlighted shared challenges in aging societies. Japan’s widespread group homes and strict hospital referral policies provide valuable reference points for Taiwan’s newly expanded Long-Term Care 3.0, particularly regarding dementia care, post-acute care integration, and cross-sector resource coordination. On October 29, the students delivered bilingual final presentations. President Yoneshima of Kinjo University praised the delegation's participation, concluding a successful exchange that strengthened educational and institutional ties between the University of Taipei and Kinjo University.

Implemented by Department of Health and Welfare
Date: 2026/10/26-2026/10/30