This form is essential for applying for long-term care subsidies and hiring foreign caregivers.
Long-Term Care 2.0 — Who’s Eligible?
If your family includes any of the following, you may qualify for Taiwan’s Long-Term Care 2.0 (LTC 2.0) services:
Seniors aged 65 or older with disabilities
Indigenous people aged 55 or older with disabilities
Individuals aged 50 or older with dementia
People of any age with physical or mental disabilities
Elderly living alone who need help with instrumental daily activities (IADLs)
Frail seniors who need partial assistance with daily tasks
If you meet any one of these six criteria, you can apply for a Long-Term Care Needs Assessment through your local Long-Term Care Management Center.
What Is the Barthel Index?
The Barthel Index is a clinical tool used to measure a person’s ability to perform basic daily activities.
Developed in 1955 by physical therapist Dorothea Barthel at the State Hospital in Baltimore, this index was originally designed to track rehabilitation progress among inpatients.
By 1965, it was published in medical literature and became widely used in rehabilitation and geriatric care.
In Taiwan, the Barthel Index is often required when applying for:
Foreign caregiver permits
Long-term care subsidies
Home nursing or rehabilitation services
It helps medical professionals evaluate how independently an elderly person can live — and therefore determine what level of care or government support they qualify for.
👉 The lower the score, the higher the level of dependency.
When Do You Need a Barthel Index Assessment?
Applying for Home Nursing under National Health Insurance
Doctors and healthcare professionals use your Barthel score to confirm eligibility for home care services.Hiring a Foreign Caregiver
A hospital-issued medical certificate and referral form are required, along with a Barthel Index assessment, to determine eligibility for hiring a foreign caregiver.Applying for Long-Term Care Services
Including:Home care
Daycare services
Family foster care
Assistive device purchase or rental
Home barrier-free renovation
Senior meal programs
Transportation services
Long-term care institutions
Home nursing and rehabilitation
Respite care
Clinical Progress Evaluation
Healthcare providers use the Barthel Index to monitor changes in a patient’s functional independence and adjust care plans accordingly.
Eligibility Standards
Score below 35: Eligible to apply for a foreign caregiver.
Since 2012, seniors aged 80 or older with a score below 60 (classified as “severely dependent”) may also qualify for foreign caregiver applications.
To apply for Long-Term Care 2.0 services, applicants must meet one of the following:
Aged 65+ with disability
Indigenous aged 55+ with disability
Aged 50+ with dementia
Individuals with severe physical/mental disabilities
In-Home Assessments
Can’t visit a hospital?
You can request a home-based Barthel assessment from your local Long-Term Care Management Center if the applicant:
Is fully paralyzed or bedridden
Requires 24-hour use of a ventilator or life-support equipment
Is in a vegetative state
Holds a “severe disability” card
Meets other qualifying criteria set by the center
How the Barthel Index Is Scored
Doctors and medical teams evaluate the person’s ability to:
Eat independently
Move around
Bathe and use the toilet
Maintain hygiene
Each item is scored:
0 points – Unable to perform
5 points – Needs assistance
10 points – Fully independent
The total score helps determine eligibility for foreign caregiver applications or government long-term care subsidies.
📍 Source:
National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA), Taiwan
https://www.facebook.com/nhi.gov.tw
