Busan is good

Gov't expanding home care service for elderly

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The government is planning a full-scale home-care service project for elderly residents in the Second Pilot Project Zone for the Elderly Home Insurance System in Suwon, Gangneung and elsewhere.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) announced on July 2 that various home care services are provided for citizens 65 years old or older. Eight areas have been picked for the pilot service, including Busan's Buk-gu, Gwangju's Nam-gu, Suwon, Gangneung, Andong, Buyeo, Wan-do, and Jeju's Bukjeju-gun.

If eligible, the elderly may be admitted to treatment centers or register for services such as meals, personal washing, home chores, nursing services and various others care in the privacy of their own homes.

The elderly who qualify are required to pay 20% of the service fees, while those with low incomes are required to pay only 10 percent.

In the meantime, the government plans to introduce the senior home service insurance system by July 2008. The system is designed to take care of elderly who suffer from strokes, dementia, brain diseases and other difficulties arising from old age.

The MOHW implemented the first pilot home care project in six cities, including Nam-gu of Gwangju, Suwon, Gangneung, Jeju and others, from July of last year to March of this year. Of the total eligible 12,414 seniors 65 years or older who receive a basic living subsidy, an average 29.7% (3,683 persons) applied for the service. Gangneung had the lowest rate with 22.7% while Nam-gu of Gwangju was highest with 43.4%.

The source of news : Korea.net  July 05, 2006