Is Taiwan a senior citizen friendly country?

[Belgian_Pie]

@jimipresley

As an aside and totally off-topic, how decrepit must one be to attain “senior citizen” status? I’m 55.

Junior!

[Belgian_Pie]

@jimipresley

I’m still waiting to find out what constitutes a “senior citizen”. What age must you be to qualify as one? 60?

I hope not!

[Belgian_Pie]

@Brianjones

In the home country senior citizens get a lot of perks such as free travel , fuel, subsidised phone, decent pension , subsidised healthcare, discounts on public amenities.

What Utopia do you come from?

[Belgian_Pie]

@Brianjones

In reality it depends on if you were a retired civil servant or not

They buy property like candy.

[Brianjones]

A little green island that the pensioners rule with their vote.

[Explant]

I fi nd taiwan a great place for old people culturaly. Logistically and financially it seems shitty. Interestingly places like kaohsiung are developing more and better in ways older super compact places like taipei probably cant. Such as proper sidewalks. Kaohsoung is more spread out and developing many new areas. If i was 50 and planning to die here, i might strongly consider there.

But there is not much pension unless youre milking the government teet. But even that likely has to get rolled down even more (obviously). Getting around is hard unless you have money for taxis. Old people arent allowed to drive. Pollution is bad so anyone with lung issues…

Health care is good, so foreingers would likely save enough on that along compared to “back home” to justify daily taxi rides

[Firefighter]

I’m a senior, pensioner, oldie, call it what you like. I got my first pension (occupational) at 50, then my Gov. pension at 65. I get free healthcare, eye & hearing checks, prescriptions, bus travel, winter fuel allowance, subsidised entry to chargeable venues and can apply for a number of coach & rail cards giving lower fares.

Here in I am just an old “Waiguo ren” resident by marriage, with white hair and taller than the average local. I get to sit on the MRT blue seats, use my ARC to get occasional subsidised entry to venues and my NHI for annual check ups and flu jabs. I think I qualify as a grumpy old bastard in both countries. As yet I can still walk unaided and do not piss myself or fall asleep on the MRT.

[tando]

@jimipresley

I’m still waiting to find out what constitutes a “senior citizen”. What age must you be to qualify as one? 60? 65? 70? 80?

MOI counts people who are 65 yo or older as senior population.
https://www.moi.gov.tw/stat/news_detail.aspx?sn=13742

[Steve4nLanguage]

@jimipresley

I can’t wait for the opportunity to be able to elbow people out of the way as I charge for the door, 10 minutes before my stop, with no sanction and social reprimand, because I’m OLD!
Serious question, though. At what age does society deem it acceptable for one to stumble around like a horrible, selfish, entitled prick?

This, right here.

When I see these old folks who boldly walk across the street on a red light, ignoring the traffic swerving around them, I used to think, “Now, I know traffic lights have been in existence for decades. How do these people not know their purpose?” Then I finally realized they’re just old farts with a sense of entitlement like you said. I’m 56 and I hope I don’t get that selfish and prune-faced.

[ranlee]

@lostinasia

However, the infrastructure doesn’t quite measure up - the big issue is lack of sidewalks

I have to disagree with this…at least in Taipei. I can’t speak for places outside of Taipei…even New Taipei.

However, I know that a majority of awnings in Taipei have been redone to make it wheelchair friendly. Before, each store front had a different awning level and you had to go up and down the steps. That’s def a wheelchair nightmare.

[Firefighter]

Pavements or sidewalks in Kaohsiung are my biggest bug-bear. Non existent in places, those that are there are in poor condition due to cars parking and driving on them, plus motor scooters using them as additional highways. Definitely not a wheelchair friendly or limited mobility city. Thank goodness I can still walk unaided or ride a bicycle (on the correct path and in the right direction).

[Dr_Milker]

@jimipresley

I’m still waiting to find out what constitutes a “senior citizen”. What age must you be to qualify as one? 60? 65? 70? 80?

What’s more important is how old you look. If your hair is mostly gray, you can probably get away with anything you like.

[lostinasia]

@ranlee

I have to disagree with this…at least in Taipei. I can’t speak for places outside of Taipei…even New Taipei.

I’m writing from the perspective of Danshui, and especially the areas within walking distance of my apartment. Sidewalks in that area are either lacking or useless, unfortunately.

[ranlee]

@lostinasia

I’m writing from the perspective of Danshui, and especially the areas within walking distance of my apartment. Sidewalks in that area are either lacking or useless, unfortunately.

Very true. I have to assume that anyone that wants to retire, would steer more towards New Taipei City where some parts are quieter and peaceful, but it’s just not as senior citizen friendly as Taipei

[yinggeaussie]

I am 67, and have been offered a Priority seat on Buses and Trains by men (not women!) older then me for maybe the last 10 years. If its full, just stand close to one and on 50% the one sitting there will soon offer it up.

Sidewalks are a pain, lack of, used for parking, and the ups and downs, even steps in many. I have been brushed by passing scooters a few times where no sidewalk exists, but not ‘hit’ (yet). I usually walk on the side that faces the traffic, as it lets me see them coming.

Wheelchairs - forget that in 99% of cases, Taiwan is not Wheelchair friendly, except in new build areas and of course the MRT.

[Brianjones]

@yinggeaussie

I usually walk on the side that faces the traffic, as it lets me see them coming.

Very important especially at night.

[Firefighter]

I was always taught From an early age to walk facing the oncoming traffic. Our UK Government Highway Code which is only advisory says
Rule 2 for Pedestrians…

If there is no pavement, keep to the right-hand side of the road so that you can see oncoming traffic. You should take extra care and be prepared to walk in single file, especially on narrow roads or in poor light keep close to the side of the road.
It may be safer to cross the road well before a sharp right-hand bend so that oncoming traffic has a better chance of seeing you. Cross back after the bend.
(Bear in mind in UK we drive on the left)
My wife, who is Taiwanese insists the opposite and walks with the flow of traffic … I can say no more

[Brianjones]

@Firefighter

My wife, who is Taiwanese insists the opposite and walks with the flow of traffic … I can say no more

Latest recommendation from Taiwan authorities is to walk against the flow of traffic, significantly lower fatality rate especially at night. You can ask her to search for it.

[Rocket]

The whole point is surviving until you get old enough to just up and take a whizz wherever, whenever you feel like it and nobody says shit.

[lostinasia]

I just wish more of the nearby roads actually had a clear flow of oncoming traffic. Hard to tell which side it’s on sometimes.