The Life Issue Café Helps the Elderly Face and Discuss the Issue of Living Healthy and ＂A Good Death＂- A Case Study of International Compassionate Community in Old Street, Shilin, Taipei City

Abstract

Introduction: World Cafe was initiated by Juanita Brown, Ph. D. and Mr. David Isaacs which is a way of discussion under a relaxed circumstance with flexible small group discussion and sincere dialogue in order to create collective intelligence. During discussion, we can have synchronized dialogue, introspection, and shared knowledge. Furthermore, we could even find an innovative opportunity of action. Method: We boldly introduced a form of discussion called ＂The Life Issue Cafe＂ in April, 2018 to the Old Street Compassionate Community in Shilin District, Taipei. The Life Issue Cafe is a forum for the elderly to discuss the issue of life, death and end-of-life. Our student volunteers of the community help the elderly with a discussion of 20 minutes for 3 rounds. After the dialogue, we inspect the product of collective intelligence and conclude the point of discussion. Result: Up to the present, we have 4 sessions of Life Issue Cafe, 27 senior citizens have been attended, and there are totally 60 attendees including the neighborhood residents and student volunteers. The Life Issue Cafe of the Old Street International Compassionate Community warms up the relationship between the elderly gradually in an innovative form of communication, and it transmits just like the fragrance of coffee spreads. The Life Issue Cafe enables the residents with more affective commitment, belongingness and sense of involvement; whereas the sincere dialogue with the elderly helps promote our care for others and is beneficial to the care related to life literacy.