Busan is good

Busan Metropolitan City to Advance “Busan-Style Integrated Care” in 2026: Addressing Both Housing and Health

내용

Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that it will sign a multi-party Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for “Busan-Style Integrated Care,” which supports citizens in enjoying healthy and happy later lives in their own homes, at 2:00 p.m. today (13th) in the International Protocol Room of City Hall.

This agreement is being carried out to help elderly individuals and persons with disabilities who require care continue independent living at home rather than in facilities.

The ceremony will be attended by the Director General of the Social Welfare Bureau of Busan Metropolitan City, Jeong Young-soo, Head of the Busan Metropolitan Self-Sufficiency Center, Lee Seung-hoon, President of the Busan Branch of the Korean Physical Therapy Association, and Lee Young-oh, President of the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Chapter of the Korean Occupational Therapy Association.

“Busan-Style Integrated Care” is a specialized service unique to Busan that provides more comprehensive care by adding eight services, including those implemented nationwide.

• ●[Existing] ① Post-discharge Safe Care ② End-of-life Safe Care ③ Hospital Companion Service ④ Housekeeping Support ⑤ Meal Support ⑥ Care Worker Support
  [New] ⑦ Housing Environment Improvement ⑧ Home-Visit Exercise

Ahead of the implementation of the Integrated Care Support Act, the city has been promoting its own program, “Busan, Together Care,” providing services such as post-discharge safe care and hospital companion services to citizens experiencing difficulties in daily life.

With the enforcement of the law on March 27, 2026, the city plans to rename the program as “Busan-Style Integrated Care” and implement it as Busan’s integrated care model.

Following the agreement, Busan Metropolitan City will oversee overall planning, the Busan Metropolitan Self-Sufficiency Center will carry out the “Housing Environment Improvement” project, and the Busan Branch of the Korean Physical Therapy Association and the Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Chapter of the Korean Occupational Therapy Association will implement the “Home-Visit Exercise” project.

The Housing Environment Improvement project will be carried out through 13 self-sufficiency enterprises supported by the Busan Metropolitan Self-Sufficiency Center. It will include installation of safety handrails to prevent falls among the elderly, removal of door thresholds, anti-slip treatments, and minor home repairs considering the mobility paths of individuals with limited movement.

For the Home-Visit Exercise project, the two professional associations will collaborate. Qualified professionals will visit homes directly to assess cognitive and physical functions and provide customized exercise programs and daily activity training tailored to each individual.

Roles by participating institution
Busan Metropolitan City: Overall project planning and budget support, policy formulation and monitoring
Busan Metropolitan Self-Sufficiency Center (self-sufficiency enterprises): Implementation and follow-up management of housing environment improvements (home repairs and installation of convenience facilities)
Busan Branch of the Korean Physical Therapy Association: Customized home-visit exercise and physical function management
Busan-Ulsan-Gyeongnam Chapter of the Korean Occupational Therapy Association: Improvement of daily living performance and cognitive rehabilitation

Through this agreement, the city expects not only to deliver welfare services but also to further enhance service quality through collaboration with specialized institutions and organizations.

Participating institutions stated that they will actively support efforts to eliminate welfare blind spots in the community and help residents enjoy healthy lives in safe environments based on their expertise and resources.

Citizens who wish to receive “Busan-Style Integrated Care” services may apply through integrated care service desks at nearby administrative welfare centers. Services will be provided based on individualized support plans established through comprehensive assessment.

Mayor Park Heong-joon stated, “We have expanded the city’s specialized ‘Busan-Style Integrated Care’ services from six to eight types this year (2026),” adding, “As these two projects simultaneously support the fundamental elements of care—living space and physical health—we will continue to work closely with local expert organizations to build a high-density integrated care model unique to Busan.”