Image reproduced from 民視新聞網

Yunlin County Mayor Chang Li-shan recently led a delegation of the 'Home Healthcare Value-Added Program in Yunlin' to Japan, where they visited a unique healthcare facility known as 'Homeward Hospital.' The primary goal of this visit was to gain insight into Japan's successful integration of medical care and daily life, with the hope of applying similar methodologies back home in Yunlin.

Mayor Chang emphasized the importance of providing comprehensive support for residents of Yunlin, covering all aspects of healthcare—transitioning from hospital to home, managing acute to chronic illnesses, and integrating treatment with daily living. Through this visit, she aims to obtain practical knowledge that can help enhance the healthcare environment in her hometown.

The operational model of 'Homeward Hospital' significantly differs from traditional hospitals, focusing on the living needs of patients and prioritizing their quality of life at home. The hospital's core philosophy is to 'support patients in living their way at home.' Although it has 120 beds, it only admits patients who require rehabilitation and end-of-life care. From the moment a patient is admitted, the hospital collaborates with the patient and their family to create a personalized home care plan, ensuring seamless integration between hospital and home.

Dr. Yū Anzai, the chairman of the medical organization TEAM BLUE that operates the hospital, shared various patient success stories, noting that the key to success lies in the close collaboration between public sectors and healthcare institutions. In his view, systematic planning is essential for increasing the likelihood of success, a lesson that could be invaluable for implementing similar models in Yunlin.

Additionally, Mayor Chang pointed out that 'Homeward Hospital' is designed with the patients' needs in mind, creating an atmosphere that feels like home. The facility features an open glass lobby, functional training rooms (known as 'Dandan Square'), and a café named 'Homura Coffee,' which not only enhances social interaction among patients but also makes it more comfortable for family members who wish to visit.

The hospital's multidisciplinary care teams, comprising doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and dentists, work collaboratively to ensure that medical support continues even after patients are discharged, effectively realizing cooperation between the community and healthcare institutions.