2019. 12. 05

The Korean government has introduced a long-term care insurance system for the elderly and has continuously expanded nursing facilities and care workers. However, many families still do their care work by themselves despite 10 years-long national effort.

The Center for Transnational Migration and Social Inclusion and Gallup Korea surveyed 500 elderly caring families. 66.8% of respondents answered “No” to the question, “Are you using government-provided or private caring services in the last month?”
Why? The cause is under the poor working environment where quality care is not possible. The fact that care workers are barely working in a harsh environment means that it is challenging to provide quality care to the caregivers.

Experts say in common that the government must be more involved in the operation of nursing home care to stabilize the employment of caregivers and raise lower labor costs. In a broad framework, it is necessary to raise awareness of caring for society as a whole. Dr. Jeon Ji-won said, “It is necessary to recognize the national cost of caring as an ‘investment’ that cultivates social competitiveness as well as education. She thinks it will have a significant impact on national competitiveness.