Social Service for the Elderly in Korea

1. Social Service for the Elderly in Korea Cho Ki-Dong, president of HelpAge Korea

2. I Introduction The economic condition in Korea were very poor. Per Capita Gross National Product in 1961 was only US$82. GNP in 2000 was US$10,000. The modernization process of industrialization, urbanization, and nuclearization of the family have already weakened the care functions of the family. the Elder Welfare Law was enacted in 1981 to provide community based services for the elderly.

3. II Social Service Needs of Korean Elders

4. 1. Growth of Older Population The life expectancy of Koreans in 1960 was 52.4 years. In 2000, it was reached 75 and it is expected to be 79 years by the year 2030 In 1960, the number of aged 65 and older was 726,000, or 2.9% of Korean population. It was increased to reach 3.37 million, or 7.1% in the year 2000 and is expected to 10.1 million or 19.3% of total population by 2030

5. 2. Health Care Needs and Costs The major health-care problems of the Korean elderly are the difficulties of paying for health care services and providing long-term care for the frail elderly. In 2000, older persons comprises 7.1% of the general population but 17.6% of health insurance costs were used for older persons. During the 1985-2000 period, medical costs of 65 and older have increased 76 times while the medical costs for those citizens under age 64 have increased about 20 times

6. 3. Change in Family structure and living arrangement In 1981, less than 20% of aged 60 and older were living separately from their adult children. By 1998, it has increased to 41.7%. Those elders living in rural areas (54%) had more separate households than those of urban areas(30.2%). Older parents are facing difficulties of getting support from their children and often find themselves isolated both from the family and from society.

7. 4. Rapid Change of Social Environment Now the absolute majority of people are living in cities and the urban population is expected to grow continuously in the future. The impact of rapid industrialization and urbanization has greatly effected the employment status and family relations of the Korean elders. Societal changes of industrialization and urbanization have ultimately affected the problems of Korean elders in terms of economic difficulties, health care problems, role loss, and feelings of alienation and isolation.

8. 5. Role loss and decline of social status In the traditional Korean society, the elderly parents were well cared for and respected as the most influencial members in the patriarchal family system. The code of filial piety supported their position, power and authority, and required the adult children to look after their aging parents. The code of filial piety was designed and practiced to assure the well-being of the elderly and keep their influence and social status in the traditional Korean society.

9. III. Home Care Programs

10. 1. Home Help Service Home help service first started in 1987 as a pilot program of the HelpAge Korea Currently, there are 78 home help centers and about 9,000 volunteers are providing various home help services for the frail and isolated elders The Elderly Welfare Act was revised in 1993 to allow home help provider to charge a fee for services for the middle and upper middle class elderly.

11. 2. Adult Day Care Service Adult day care program were somewhat unknown to most elderly Koreans and their family members until recently. However, as the elderly population increases the demand has increased, and continues to do so. As of 2000, there were 97 day care centers operating at almost maximum capacity. Since paid adult day care services are relatively underdeveloped, middle and upper class elderly people still do not have opportunities to utilize such adult day care services.

12. 3. Short Stay Service Short stay services for the elderly, which allow the elderly to stay at nursing homes and be cared for a limited short period (usually 2 to 45 full days) per admission, are also provided at 36 places as of 2000. Fees are charged to users of these services. like adult day care services, short stay services are not widely known to many Koreans. Paid services are relatively underdeveloped despite the fact that paid community care services commenced upon the amendment of Elderly Welfare Law of 1993.

13. 4. Visiting Nurse Program Visiting nurse services are not yet stipulated in the Elderly Welfare Law, but are stipulated in the Community Health Law and Medical Service Law. These services are regarded as one of the major community care services. They are provided by general hospitals, community health centers, the Korean Nurses Association, community welfare centers. However, hospital-based and community health center-based services are the major types. According to statistics, a majority of users of visiting nurse services are the elderly aged 60 and over.

14. IV. Leisure Activity Programs

15. 1. Senior Club House The number of senior club houses in 2000 was 40,691, located all over the nation, and close to 1.4 million elderly Koreans were registered as club members. Since each club house is conveniently located in the older neighborhoods or in the midst of new apartment complexes, nearly 30% of the Korean elders 60 and older utilize the club every year. However, most of the club houses are so small in size and lacking financial resources that they have not developed any practical and professional service programs for the elderly club members.

16. 2. Senior Citizen Schools / Senior Classes Senior citizen schools were established in 1972 by voluntary organizations and local community centers to promote cultural, educational and recreational programs for the elderly. Currently, there are 1,500 senior schools sponsored by various groups including churches, civic organizations and aging related agencies. Both senior citizen schools and classes are experiencing financial difficulties in securing funds for professional educators, teaching materials (books, tapes, audiovisual equipments) and program development.

17. 3. Multipurpose Senior Centers Two multipurpose senior centers have been operating in Seoul since 1998, offering various health and social service programs for the elderly including health education, home care, adult day care, nutrition, job placement, and leisure programs. Lately, over 100 multipurpose senior centers have opened in large cities to provide various services for the elderly in the community. Both central and local governments are planning to open more multipurpose senior centers in each administrative district to meet the increasing needs of elderly Koreans

18. V. Institutional Care Service As of December 31, 2000 there are 247 institutions, where 13,588 elders are residing and cared for. The proportion of institutionalized elders in Korea (0.3%) is far less than those of the United States (5%), European countries (4-7%) and Japan (2%). Most of the Ageing institutions (79%) in Korea are free fo charge facilities.

19. Number of Welfare Institutions for the aged Free facilities Residential home : 93 Nursing home : 77 Nursing home for the severe illness :25 Low price facilities Residential home : 4 Nursing home : 13 Fee charging facilities Residential home : 22 Nursing home : 13

20. VI. Summary and Conclusion Korean elders today have lived through hardships of unique historical events (World War II, Korean war, and cold war period) and sacrificed themselves to project their family and build the industrial country. They had worked long hours to build the industrial growth and spent all their earnings to raise and educate children without being able to save money for the years. Korea has achieved successful economic growth and industrial development because of the sacrifice and hard work of older generations.

21. Older Koreans, however, do not feel that they receive a corresponding reward for their contribution to society as well as to family. It is a challenge for the government, therefore, to maintain the current economic growth and, at the same time, develop appropriate and effective welfare programs to provide needed services for the elderly. To meet this challenge, Korea needs to mobilize all the resources of government, industry, communities, families, and aging individual and work together toward the development of welfare society for a healthy, productive and integrated life in later years.

22. Korea and The 2nd World Assembly on Ageing In the amendment of Elderly Law in 1997, National Day of the Elderly was first introduced and set as the 2nd day of October. In May 1998, The National Organizing Committee for IYOP was organized. The first National Day of the Elderly was observed on 2nd October 1998. The Government set-up �The mid and long-term policy plan for the Health and Welfare in response to the Ageing Society� in 1999 to build a framework for the welfare of the elderly in the 21st centry

23. The Government helped to hold the Asia/Oceania Regional Congress of Gerontology in Korea On December 2001, A National paper for the Second World Assembly on Ageing �Societal Response to Ageing Society� was drafted preparing by the Korea National Council of Elderly Welfare Organization Representatives from Government and NGOs will attend the 2nd World Assembly on Ageing in Madrid