This year, Eden Foundation launched the 'Cleaning Your Assistive Devices'Taiwan-wide cleaning service tour, and today on 12th of March was the third session but Foundation traveled across the sea to the outlaying island, Kinmen for the first time to clean and maintain a total of 22 wheelchairs and crutches for the local residents, so that the users can have a safe and comfortable quality of life. Mr. Yu-Chao Chen, President of Eden Foundation, Mr. Hsiang-Lin Chen, Senior Executive Officer of Kinmen County Government, Ms. Ya-Fen Huang, Director of Social Affairs Department and many other VIPs were present to witness the service tour across Taiwan and outlaying islands.
Eden firstly crossed the sea to Kinmen to organize the assistive devices cleaning service tour.
According to the statistics of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, as of the third quarter of the year 2024, the number of persons with disabilities in Kinmen County was 6,163, of which 30% were estimated to be physical disabilities; and the data of Ministry of the Interior also pointed out that the aging index of Kinmen County in the year 2024 was as high as 232.16%, which is only second to Chiayi County and the second highest in the whole of Taiwan. In the face of the increasing number of persons with disabilities and the rapid aging of the social structure, it has become a priority for all sectors to provide adequate support for safe living in the community.
Eden promotes assistive devices cleaning service, hoping that assistive device users can have a comfortable and dignified life.
For this reason, Eden Foundation indicated that the proper use of 'assistive devices'can help people in need to achieve any purpose in life, not only to reduce the risk of injury and enhance the convenience of life, but also to increase the importance of social participation. Eden has been hosting the 'Kinmen County Assistive Devices Resource Center'since 2019, integrating different professionals to provide various professional services on assistive devices. In addition to promoting the importance of assistive devices, Eden has also been actively involved in assistive device cleaning services and advocating the concept of safer and more secure use of assistive devices for the public.
Mr. Dai (middle) and Ms. Wang (right) explaining the needs of their family for assistive device cleaning.
High-pressure rinsing, steam disinfection, disinfectant wiping, as well as maintenance and repair, wheelchairs that have been in use for many years were given a new look by the smooth operation of Eden staff. “This is a very thoughtful service, which is really important to the senior wheelchair users.” Ms. Wang said, her mother who is now 98 years old, is currently using an in-home care bed and an air mattress because of the degeneration of dementia, and her mother also uses an individualized wheelchair to get around. Over the years, she has never had her assistive devices deep cleaned, so when Ms. Wang saw the information about the service, she signed up right away, hoping to make her mom's life more comfortable.
Disinfection through high-pressure rinsing and high-temperature steaming (Pictured is the operating by Mr. Yu-Chao Chen, President of Eden)
Another person who brought a wheelchair to the cleaning service site, Mr. Dai, his mother who is 76 years old and has undergone brain surgery, has mobility problems in her right limbs. She can use a walker when she is supported by other person, but she needs a wheelchair when she moves over long distances. Mr. Dai said that if there is any dirt on her assistive devices, he would only use a rag to wipe it down, but the family could not do enough to clean the hard-to-clean areas. This time, after the professional team cleaning, it became the totally different story, the hair in the wheels are also clean, thanks to the team that provided such completely services, strongly believe that his mother will must be in the use of safer and to live a dignified life.
Bleach water wiping for deep cleaning service of assistive devices (Pictured is the operating by Mr. Hsiang-Lin Chen, Senior Executive Officer of Kinmen Government)
Eden said that Kinmen is located in the subtropical climate, coupled with the fog season every spring, the humid air makes the home environment prone to breeding mold and mildew, the assistive devices which use every day by persons with disabilities or senior citizens, if not regularly cleaned and disinfected, it could be adverse effects on the health condition of users. We call on the public to pay attention to the use of the assistive devices, to exposure the assistive devices under sunlight and to maintain them regularly. Such as: broken handrails, tire caps stuck with hair, rust, etc., many small details if can immediately deal with, can effectively prevent accidents, and clean assistive devices, can make the more quality and comfortable life.
Eden Assistive Devices cleaning service team in hands with Kinmen Assistive Devices Center work together, hoping that assistive device users can have a comfortable and safe using experience.
Eden currently launched the 'Cleaning Your Assistive Devices' Taiwan-wide cleaning service tour, and registration is now open for the Kaohsiung session in April and the Keelung session in May, with 20 pieces of assistive devices cleaning service available for each session, first in first serve. People in need are welcome to sign up for the “Eden Assistive Devices Cleaning Service” Facebook fan group, and together we can make a better life start from assistive devices cleaning!
