Most Koreans Want to Age at Home, but Say Local Care Systems Fall Short (Image supported by ChatGPT)
SEOUL, Dec. 17 (Korea Bizwire) — Most South Koreans want to remain in their homes or local communities as they age or face illness, but many say the country’s local care systems are not prepared to support that preference, according to a new nationwide survey released Tuesday.
The survey of 1,500 adults, conducted earlier this month by Korea Research for the nonprofit Care and Future, found that 84 percent of respondents favored receiving care in their own residence or neighborhood. Only 13 percent said they did not prefer such an arrangement.
Yet the reality of care provision remains heavily dependent on families. Among respondents who currently have a family member in need of care—34 percent of the sample—62 percent said that care was being provided directly by relatives. Just 23 percent reported using public care services such as home-visit aides, and 21 percent relied on institutional facilities.
A large majority, 79 percent, said local governments bear primary responsibility for care services for older adults and people with disabilities. More than half said effective care requires cooperation between central and local governments, while only a quarter viewed local authorities alone as sufficient.
Despite those expectations, nearly half of respondents—46 percent—believed their local governments have not adequately prepared the policies or infrastructure needed for community-based care, citing budget shortages as the biggest barrier. More than half said existing care services for older residents and people with disabilities in their area were insufficient.
When asked which areas require the most urgent attention, respondents pointed to expanding home-based medical and nursing services and strengthening in-home support, each selected by 48 percent.
The findings come ahead of the March rollout of the new Integrated Care Support Act, designed to address rising demand. But public awareness remains low: 54 percent of those surveyed said they were unaware the law would take effect next year.
“People no longer see care as an individual problem but as a task for local governments,” said Kim Yong-ik, chair of Care and Future. “As care needs grow more diverse and personalized, centrally designed, uniform policies must give way to flexible, locally driven approaches.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
