An empirical study to explore the cognition and needs with health community for the elders in Taiwan

Along with social progress and medicine technology developed, the birth rate and the death rate is decreasing, thus the aging society has become a major issue. The current status in Taiwan is located in remote agricultural areas; the population of elders is a problem more serious than before, the elders' population are over 14%, moreover, some are in the metropolitan area and consumption center with concentrated population, for traffic convenience and governance, major construction must consider elders needs and convenience. This empirical study was done through sampling and questionnaire administration. After three months a total of 500 questionnaires were responded to. The research purpose aimed at understanding elders for building a healthy community of cognitive importance levels and their correlation with needs. The statistical analysis results showed elders for building a healthy community of various dimensions of cognition and need may not be the same, cognitive important aspects or themes, but is not necessarily consistent with their needs. In addition, knowledge and needs of the elderly and their background factors, especially education levels and health status. This includes cognitive importance or needs perspective and their education and health relevance of statistical significance. In addition, indicated by open-ended questions to answer, to build community awareness on the importance and need of health, “Life and health” are still issues of concern to elders. More worthy of our attention is that the need on the dimensions, showing the "lifelong learning" cognition and need, including more senior arts and leisure courses and organize community group activities and courses. Keywords: Elders, health community, cognition of importance, needs assessment.