This file photo shows an elderly woman on the street with a walking aid. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 16 (Korea Bizwire) – The number of elderly abuse cases that were judged as actual abuse cases among those reported to elderly care facilities increased last year compared to a year ago.
According to a report released on Tuesday by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the number of elderly abuse cases reported to the nation’s 34 elderly care institutions totaled 16,973 last year, up 5.6 percent from 16,071 in 2019.
Among them, 6,259 cases were judged as actual abuse cases, up 19.4 percent from 5,243 cases a year ago.
Among the cases of abuse 88 percent occurred at home, mainly by sons (34.2 percent) and spouses (31.7 percent).
The victims of such abuses suffered emotional abuse (42.7 percent) and physical abuse (40 percent).
The ministry plans to expand the number of elderly care institutions as part of efforts to prevent elderly abuse as well as to improve ex-post response and management.
In addition, to protect the elderly from economic abuse, the ministry plans to expand a trial project in which retired financial workers offer advice on money management for the elderly.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
