New Taipei City has a population of more than 500,000 older adults, and its rural areas have become a super-aged society earlier than its urban counterparts. Thus, anti-dementia initiatives are imperative. The New Taipei City government’s Department of Health has transformed the rehabilitation touring cars, traveling between remote areas, into the first LOHAS mental stimulation buses in Taiwan.

Instead of conventional cognitive rehabilitation services, LOHAS mental stimulation buses employ professional, effective, diverse, and fun cognitive activities to improve the knowledge of cognition had by rural residents. Activities have also been designed for people of all ages to enjoy together, thus facilitating intergenerational exchange. Mobile services are used to enable mutual care and aid in different communities, thereby facilitating healthy and friendly community building and development among older adults.

LOHAS mental stimulation buses have provided services to remote areas since October 2017. Cognitive examinations, brain health services, and individualized training have been provided to older adults. The buses have collaborated with ADLers in hosting the second LOHAS Mental Stimulation Garden Tour in Yingge Ceramics Museum. The exhibition featured booths on cognitive thematic levels, cognitive promotion, cognitive examination, and cognitive activity. The LOHAS mental stimulation bus program has collaborated with other government bodies to provide intergenerational joint recreation cars, recreational cars, and mobile museums, in addition to private units and local neighborhood resources to promote knowledge on dementia in communities, thus enabling older adults to live long, healthy, and happy lives. Those participating in the activities numbered 4,432 in 2018 and 7,313 in September 2019.

Competent Authority：Department of Health, New Taipei City Government