Budget, Facilities and Manpower Key to Welfare Program

South Korea has introduced long-term health care for the elderly, especially those suffering from chronic illnesses. Senior citizens aged 65 or older can benefit from the service if they cannot live by themselves without help from caregivers. People younger than 65 are also eligible for health care if they suffer from chronic symptoms such as dementia or cardiovascular disorders including strokes.

We welcome the introduction of such a service as the country is rapidly moving toward an aged society with the elderly population growing sharply. According to the National Statistical Office (NSO), South Korea is predicted to become a super-aged society in 2030 as senior citizens over 65 will account for 24.2 percent of the total population, up from 9.1 percent last year. The ratio is expected to reach 11 percent in 2010 and 15.6 percent in 2020.

Therefore, it is urgent to firmly establish a working welfare system for senior citizens. The country launched a basic old-age pension scheme on January 1 to help low-income elderly people get pension benefits. Starting July 1, eligible pension recipients will be expanded to those aged 65 and older. Previously, only those aged over 70 were entitled.

South Korea has begun to set up two pillars of a welfare system for senior citizens. But, the nation still has a long way to go to have a viable welfare network for the elderly. In fact, senior citizens have so far taken care of their own health and subsistence, or depended on support from family members. The old-age pension and long-term care for the elderly lay the groundwork for a welfare state. But we have many obstacles to overcome.

There are about 5 million people aged 65 or older in South Korea. And the number of the elderly suffering from dementia, strokes or other chronic cardiovascular illnesses is estimated at nearly 1 million. Caring for the elderly has caused trouble for family members because of the absence of a state-level health care system for them. For this reason, senior citizens with chronic diseases have often been abandoned or subject to abuse.

The first problem is how to finance the soaring needs for such a service. Every subscriber to national health insurance is required to make an additional 4 percent contribution, while the state and municipal and provincial authorities provide grants to the insurance. Those wishing to benefit from the services will have to pay 400,000 won to 600,000 won per month. The sum is not a meager burden for the poor and the underprivileged. And national health insurance subscribers and the state are feared to shoulder more of a burden because of the rising elderly population.

Another problem is the lack of facilities and manpower to take care of the elderly. About 210,000 senior citizens applied for long-term health care services. But only 126,000 of them were selected. Therefore, the authorities will have to build more facilities and train more people to become qualified caregivers to meet the increasing need. We hope the service will successfully take root to cope with the aging population.