Health Status and Improvement Plans for Korean Elderly

한국 노인의 건강실태와 대책방안

The purpose of this document is to provide the direction of the policy for welfare of the elderly, by identifying the problems and status of the welfare service for the elderly. The primary source of degrading the living standard of the elderly is the increase of the elderly population and life longevity. The Welfare service for the elderly to enhance the poor living level of the elderly population should be established, to compensate their former economic and social contribution in the society and also to promote the basic human right. The agenda to achieve this goal sums up like these : First, the basic living of the unhealthy elderly belonging to the low-income group, such as government-provided income and medical service should be provided. Second, for those with working ability, more opportunity for working and social activities should be given, focusing on expanding the employment rather than adding income. Third, for those with middle and high income, silver industry and pastime activities should be nurtured. Lastly, rather than institutional protection for the elderly, the welfare service for those staying home should be enforced, thus naturally leading to the family support for the elderly. There cannot be a sound policy for welfare and improvement of living standard ignoring the Well-being of the elderly population. The effort to better the welfare for the minority groups who compose the base of the social base will, eventually, result in the progress of the entire society.