A cluster of white houses on a hilltop overlooking the sea could easily be mistaken for one of the many holiday homes that line the highway running along the north coast of Taiwan.

But in fact, the complex, covering an area of some 864,000 square feet, is a home for more than 500 old people. Surrounded by neatly arranged and colorful gardens, the Jen Ai House in Taipei County lives up to its name, which in English means Love and Benevolence.

Over the past few decades the number of old people in Taiwan has increased rapidly as a result of higher standards of living and improved health services. According to Ministry of the Interior statistics, the number of people over 65 has increased 4.1 times since 1951 and this trend is continuing. This "graying" of the population is a symptom of modernization, and has created new social problems which require new solutions.

Although the Chinese traditionally consider respect for age as a virtue, the rapid industrialization of society has changed the position of the elderly.

The cities have attracted young people, who often leave their parents in the countryside. In any case, old people find it difficult to adjust to urban life. In the extended family system of the past, old people had an important and powerful role, but now this has changed with the emergence of the nuclear family system in the cities. The status of the elderly has declined as society has come to value youth and new technology more than maturity and experience.

In the past, solution of this problem was merely seen in terms of paying pensions and such financial measures, but as the predicament of the aged became more serious, a more comprehensive solution was considered necessary. In 1980, President Chiang Ching-kuo promulgated the nation's first "Old People's Welfare Law," which introduced such measures as half-price fares for public transport, movies and tours, free health examinations, the establishment of old people's centers, entertainment programs and seminars.

But the most important provision of the law covered the construction and improvement of old people's homes. Currently, there are some 30 public and private old people's homes in Taiwan catering for 7,000 people aged more than 60, of which only a small number are not government sponsored.

This year, when the first of a new kind of old people's home opens in the suburbs of Taipei, the residents of the seven-story complex will all be paying guests.

Many people are still reluctant to send their parents or grandparents to an old people's home because they feel it is unfilial or implies bad relations with the older generation. Is this reeling justified? Residents of Jen Ai House have their own opinion.

Hsiao Chih-chao, aged 70, came originally from Hupei and has no relatives in Taiwan. Local officials helped him apply for a place in an old people's home, and at first he thought it meant the end for him. After arriving he discovered it was in fact the beginning. He made many friends and engages in the home's activities such as Peking opera, calligraphy, painting, knitting, handicrafts and even martial arts.

Seventy-six-year-old Hsu Chuan-shui was formerly a bank manager who lived with his children after retirement. Although his children wanted him to stay on with them, he did not enjoy city life. One day he visited Jen Ai House and liked it so much that he often returned. At first his children did not like the idea, but eventually realized he would be happy there.

There are now almost 500 residents of Jen Ai House. To earn government sponsorship at the home, one must be over 70 and have lived in Taipei County for at least six months.

The Jen Ai complex is designed to have a family atmosphere. Each two-story building houses 16 people who share living rooms and bathrooms as well as the gardens. The buildings are arranged in groups of three or four in four locations on the grounds. Apart from free accommodation, clothing, and daily necessities, each government sponsored resident has a monthly allowance of NT$660. The residents who are not sponsored live in two three-story buildings with two people to each suite.

Every room in Jen Ai House has a TV set with videotape programs. To stay in touch with the outside world, newspapers are provided and telephones are located in each block.

There are three nurses at Jen Ai House who make daily checks on the residents, and highly qualified doctors from the Keelung Provincial Hospital spend two days a week attending to the resident's health problems. Four ambulances are stationed at Jen Ai House in case of emergency.

There are 12 supervisors whose job it is to be familiar with residents' hobbies, habits, temperament, health and family background and to provide assistance whenever needed. This is by no means an easy job, and most of the supervisors are cheerful young people who are patient and energetic.

Supervisor Hsiao Su-chen says that newcomers take a little time to adjust to the home and at the beginning supervisors must be good listeners. Hsiao says that her main task is to keep the residents occupied with activities suited to their interests, such as gardening, raising pigeons and geese, folk dancing, as well as a variety of indoor activities.

In this peaceful, harmonious environment old people become close friends and so far already five elderly couples have married in Jen Ai House. The wedding festivities are a source of a great deal of excitement among residents and staff alike.

Many residents actively participate in the organized activities, but even those who do not still live a relaxed and rewarding life at Jen Ai House.

[Picture Caption]

1. The Peking Opera Club rehearsing in the shade of trees. 2. This flowerbed was planted by residents of the Jen Ai Home. 3. An elderly couple walk with their dog by the seashone at sunset.

1. Old people enjoy planting flowers and vegetables. 2. Government-sponsored residents are housed in homely blocks such as these. 3. Old people at Jen Ai House spend their retirement years in a green and scenic environment. 4. Social service groups often go to the Jen Ai Home during holidays to enjoy themselves with the old folks. 5. This elderly resident reads the newspaper early every morning. 6. Ninety-one-year-old Lu is a proponent of martial arts who willingly expounds his secret of longevity to fellow residents.

1. Residents participate in a wedding feast for Yao Yu and Lai Li-pao. 2. The shop at the Jen Ai Home is well stocked. 3. Staff chatting with residents. 4. Billiards is one of the old people's favorite activities. 5. Kitchen facilities such as these are available to all residents.

Top: A variety of exercise equipment is provided, enabling the residents to exercise indoors. Bottom: Every room has a color TV set which can receive broadcasts or videotape programs.

This flowerbed was planted by residents of the Jen Ai Home.

An elderly couple walk with their dog by the seashone at sunset.

Old people enjoy planting flowers and vegetables.

Government-sponsored residents are housed in homely blocks such as these.

Old people at Jen Ai House spend their retirement years in a green and scenic environment.

Social service groups often go to the Jen Ai Home during holidays to enjoy themselves with the old folks.

This elderly resident reads the newspaper early every morning.

Ninety-one-year-old Lu is a proponent of martial arts who willingly expounds his secret of longevity to fellow residents.

Residents participate in a wedding feast for Yao Yu and Lai Li-pao.

The shop at the Jen Ai Home is well stocked.

Staff chatting with residents.

Billiards is one of the old people's favorite activities.

Kitchen facilities such as these are available to all residents.

A variety of exercise equipment is provided, enabling the residents to exercise indoors.

Every room has a color TV set which can receive broadcasts or videotape programs.