TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – National Taiwan Museum (NTM) and Taipei City Hospital (TCH) have proposed a “Dementia Friendly Museum” plan featuring trained volunteers and special exhibits.

According to the World Health Organization, in 2018 there were more than 280,000 people suffering from Dementia in Taiwan. In order to help the dementia patients, TCH has cooperated with NTM to make the museum into a “Dementia Friendly Museum” with special themed exhibitions and trained volunteers to help the elderly.

The curator of the NTM, Hong Shi-yo (洪世佑), stated that there have been previous examples of the benefit museums can provide to those who suffer from mental illnesses. As a result, NTM has specially trained 32 volunteers to guide dementia patients when they come to visit the museum.

Moreover, NTM plans to help other mental illness patients, and plan to work further with the TCH to organize these other related exhibitions.

The chief dean of TCH, Hong Shen-jian (黃勝堅), pointed out that the purpose of the “Dementia Friendly Museum” is to encourage dementia patients to go out more, rather than just staying in the house or hospital.

“Also, sometimes, the best medicine is the care and love from the family and friends,” said Hong.

The NTM is going to celebrate its 111th year anniversary and is preparing to host various interesting exhibitions this year which are suitable for all ages. For more information, please visit the official website.