2026-06-05

On June 1, Chi-Chan Lin, Chair of the Department of Athletic Performance at the National University of Kaohsiung (NUK), led members of the university’s swimming team to the Gangshan Veterans Home to participate in the event “Caring with Compassion, Integrity without Barriers.” Through senior fitness activities and community engagement, the program fostered intergenerational interaction, healthy aging, and social responsibility. In addition to exercise sessions focused on stretching and muscle-strengthening, the event incorporated legal awareness, anti-fraud education, and anti-corruption advocacy, providing students with valuable service-learning experiences while deepening their understanding of elder care and professional ethics.

Lin noted that as society continues to age, maintaining the physical and mental well-being of older adults through exercise has become an increasingly important issue. By bringing students into a real-world elder care environment, the university hopes not only to apply sports science expertise to support healthy lifestyles among seniors, but also to help students gain a deeper understanding of the needs and challenges faced by older populations.

She emphasized that service learning is more than an opportunity to apply professional knowledge—it is also a meaningful process for developing empathy, civic engagement, and social responsibility. Through direct interaction with older adults, students move beyond the classroom and into the community, gaining firsthand experience with issues related to health promotion, elder care, and intergenerational communication.

The event also included a legal and ethics education session led by Wan-Yi Yang, Director of Government Ethics at the Kaohsiung Branch of the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection under the Ministry of Economic Affairs. Her presentation focused on integrity risks in caregiving services and the distinction between public service facilitation and improper favoritism, helping both staff and students better understand legal and ethical challenges that may arise in frontline care settings.

With fraud targeting older adults becoming an increasing concern in recent years, Yang also introduced common scam tactics and prevention strategies through case studies and interactive discussions. In addition, she promoted awareness of anti-bribery principles and ethical conduct, aiming to strengthen seniors’ ability to recognize and avoid fraud while encouraging students and professionals to uphold integrity and lawful practices in their future careers.

During the activity, NUK swimming team members guided residents through stretching exercises, muscle-strengthening routines, and interactive wellness activities designed to encourage regular physical activity and maintain mobility. The atmosphere was lively and engaging, with many residents enthusiastically participating alongside the students and enjoying the positive energy generated through movement and social interaction.

Several residents shared that they had previously believed exercise was no longer suitable for older adults. Through the students’ patient guidance and encouragement, they gained a better understanding of the importance of strength training and regular physical activity for healthy aging, while also appreciating the care and companionship offered by the younger generation.

Participating students reflected that the experience helped them better understand the physical and emotional needs of older adults and recognize the value of exercise as a tool for health promotion and social support. By learning from the life experiences of the residents and engaging with individuals from a different generation, students broadened their perspectives and connected classroom knowledge with real-world practice, gaining valuable insights for their future careers.

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@Department of Athletic Performance & Events