I can’t feel my legs. How can I run? “Remember this classic advertising line said by the elderly in a fire scene? The elderlyin the advertisement impressed people with a superb and realistic acting skill but not raised the concern of home security for the public.According to the statistics in 2020, there are more than 20,000 fires in Taiwan.What’s worse, the fall to accidental death at home reaches over 20% because of the elderly’s inconvenience to move.To help the disadvantaged groups and the elderly build their homes with peace and safe, “House Eden” from the” Eden Social Welfare Foundation” throughout Taiwan every year. In October this year, Eden visited Keelung and Pingtung to improve their living environment and quality for the disadvantaged groups and the elderly.
Photo: The volunteers of Eden assist in painting wall.
Amine, who lives in Keelung Renai District at the age 56, is 3rd stage of liver cirrhosis;meanwhile, he has Parkinson, diabetes, major depressive disorder and he lives only by subsidies. Apart from the nursing assistant’s routine meal, he has lived alone in his own old house for 10 years. With the old house out of repair and flood, not only the wall, pillar, rebar and pipe line exposed, but also the wall mold and water leakage are serious, making the poor living environment and exposed to danger. Mr. Wang, the owner of a refurbishment companyin collaboration with Eden knew Amin through friends. Under the long-term care, he learned that Amin was hit by a car while going out, which even made him have trouble getting around. Mr. Wang applied for the refurbishment service for him in consideration of safety.
Photo:The installation of handrails in Amin's bathroom made his life safer.
From evaluation to construction, the team thoughtfully knew the needs of renovation to build a suitable and safe living space for the client. In addition to movement and to ease the occurrence of accidents, a clean and comfortable environment can also improve the quality of living. Also, there was no need to worry about rain and wind. Wang was touched to saidthat he was able to see and understand the needs and helplessness and underprivileged aftercooperating with Eden. If he didn’t speak up, no one will really know about the existence of the underprivileged at the edge of society. Mr. Wang shared that he saw the dilapidatedhouse being renovated to a peaceful house, he was more touched than a client. It’s not just the motivation keeping cooperating with Eden, it’s also his mission to feedback to the society.
Eden House “established in 2017 officially, and has worked with “screw driver engineering” volunteers helping the persons with disabilities and the elderly to renovate the environment all over Taiwan. It has accomplished over thousand cases by far. Among these, armrest, lightening, anti-slip is the most common design. The projects about safety and hygiene, including wall mold, leaking, enforcing steel and the repair of circuit will help improve living security and reduce the risk of falls and other dangers. The Director Bing-Yu Shen from Eden Barrier Free House Developing Center indicates that the fire in Kaohsiung City spreads the “Double Aging” crisis, which emphasizes the concern on living security to us.
Photo:Through Mr. Wang's application for the need to re-build Amine’s hose,
“Eden House”hasve the chance to improve the living safety of his home.
Taiwan’s aging population increases year by year, and the number of all houses are also increasing. It’s estimated that the number of 30 years and above old houses will exceed 6 million 10 years later.To help the elderly and unprivileged family have a safe and sheltered home, "House Eden" will build a friendly and carefree space for the elderly and disadvantaged family.
