Background:
Taiwan is experiencing rapid population aging, with a growing prevalence of chronic diseases and functional impairments among older adults. Existing Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) programs focus primarily on screening but lack sufficient follow-up and intervention. In response, the HI-HOPE Project was developed to establish a community-based, multidisciplinary intervention model to enhance intrinsic capacity and promote healthy aging in rural elderly populations.
Survey and Screening:
The study will be conducted in 30 community centers across Yunlin County, targeting older adults aged ≥55 years. Participants will undergo biannual screenings over two years, assessing cognitive function, depression, mobility, vitality (nutrition), hearing, vision, osteoporosis, polypharmacy, urological health, and social participation \& welfare.
Intervention:
Participants will be randomly assigned to either:
HI-HOPE Integrated Care Group:
On-Site Community Interventions: Exercise training, mindfulness, social activities, oral and swallowing rehabilitation, hearing and vision training.
Telehealth \& Remote Education: Digital health monitoring, remote consultations, and health education.
Referral Services: Access to specialized medical care, transportation assistance, and follow-up support.
Control Group: Standard community care services without additional structured interventions.
Outcome Measures:
Primary outcomes include changes in intrinsic capacity of functional health metrics, including abnormalities of I-COPE components (mobility, cognitive status, depression, hearing, vision, vitality) . Secondary outcomes assess quality of life, activities of daily living, hospitalization, emergency visits, falls, and mortality rates over two years.
Significance:
This project integrates digital health technologies, interdisciplinary care, and community-based interventions to improve elderly health outcomes. The findings will guide the future scalability of integrated aging care models in Taiwan and beyond.