Taiwan is currently facing the challenge of an aging population. This trend not only affects urban areas but also significantly changes the structure of rural communities. The proportion of elderly residents in rural areas is increasing year by year, indicating a growing need for more elderly care and related support in these communities. Taiwan Seed Improvement and Propagation Station of the Ministry of Agriculture (referred to as TSIPS) is situated in the mountain area of XinShe. TSIPS actively engaged in the promotion of a 'Community Empowerment Workshop' (Figure 1) and Green Therapy and Education courses, aimed at enhancing the capacity of rural communities in the central mountainous region to provide elderly care.

Since 2020, the number of deaths in our country has exceeded the number of births, making it a long-term population decline nation. It is estimated that the natural population decrease will continue to expand annually (Figure 2), and the rapidly declining birth rate is affecting the rate of increase in the elderly population. The care and support required for aging communities encompass various aspects, including physical health, social interaction, nutrition, and mental well-being.

TSIPS emphasizes that ‘Green Therapy and Education’ beyond designing courses based on agricultural and horticultural therapy principles, primarily focuses on integrating local natural elements and distinctive community features, indirectly fostering the liveliness and development of the community. From the year 111 to 112, the TSIPS collaborated with local green care communities to conduct a total of 50 Green Therapy and Education courses, including potted plant arrangements, plant propagation, aquatic plant ecosystems, creative seed crafts, mini succulent forests on walls, and edible herb cultivation, etc. (Figure 3). Assessments were conducted before the courses, observations were made during the classes, and follow-ups were carried out after the courses. Post-class follow-up results show positive and constructive growth effects (Figure 4).

The 'Green Therapy and Education' courses require purposeful planned with a therapeutic mindset, the courses aim to utilize multisensory stimulation and a variety of activities for the seniors. These include seeing with the eyes, listening with the ears, smelling with the nose, doing with the hands, and moving with the whole body. Such purposeful training or function maintenance aligns with the spirit of the green care plan."

Elderly education and green care enable senior citizens to enjoy vibrant social activities and an interesting retirement life. It helps slow down the aging process and achieve healthy and active aging. The collaboration between the TSIPS and local communities, through empowerment workshops and Green Therapy and Education courses, aims to create a more age-friendly and healthier environment for seniors.

• Contact：TSIPS / Assistant Researcher, HSU, LI-FEN
  Backtalk：+886-25825422
  e-mail：lifen@tss.gov.tw
• Contact：TSIPS / Researcher and Deputy Director, Liu, Ming-Chung
  Backtalk：+886-25825402
• e-mail：tzong@tss.gov.tw

▲Fig. 1.Introducing and opening for the Green Care workshop by TSIPS.	▲Fig. 2.Estimated Trends in Crude Birth Rate and Crude Death Rate in Our Country (National Development Commission, 2022)
▲Fig. 3.The green therapy course enables seniors to experience hands-on activities, training hand-eye-brain coordination.	▲Fig. 4.Community senior participants sharing their achievements.