Despite hypermodernization, a large number of Korean households still provide in-family caregiving when especially an older family member is sick or fragile. Alternatively, those with the means may opt to hire a structures and weakened adherence to filial piety, caregiving responsibilities have predominantly remained within the family. However, the demanding nature of caregiving, both financially and emotionally, has led some to vividly describe the experience as “caregiving hell.”

Sadly, there are instances that reveal an overwhelming sense of despair, often manifested in what can only be described as “caregiver murder.” These distressing incidents consistently evoke a collective feeling of helplessness and defeat. Just this month in Daegu, a man in his 50s was found dead outside an apartment after killing his father. He left behind a note pleading for others to search for the body of his father, who suffered from dementia, inside their apartment unit. The prolonged burden of caring for his ailing father d
rove him to make the extreme choice. Similarly, last October, a father in his 60s took the life of his 30-something son, who had been grappling with a brain injury for most of his life, and attempted unsuccessfully to end his own life.

Efforts must be urgently undertaken in Korean society to address this pervasive sense of helplessness. As the 13th largest economy globally, Korea has the capacity to overcome its historical trauma related to poverty and ensure that its citizens live with dignity, irrespective of their circumstances. Moreover, the nation is rapidly approaching a super-aging society, with the proportion of individuals aged 65 and older expected to reach 20 percent of the population by 2025. Responding to this challenge, the Ministry of Health and Welfare revealed plans on Jan. 17 to expand caregiving assistance starting in July. This initiative aligns with the government’s December announcement aimed at alleviating the burden of hiring careworkers. The central idea is to reduce caregiving expen
ses by integrating caregiving services into hospital facilities. This shift implies that instead of families hiring private caregivers in hospitals when a family member is hospitalized, nurses can assume the responsibility of providing caregiving services.

In a broader perspective, the government aims to boost the utilization of integrated programs, targeting an increase from the current 2.3 million users to 4 million by 2027.

While the expansion of caregiving services within hospital facilities is a positive step for those hospitalized due to immediate ailments, there remains a significant gap in support for individuals requiring long-term care. To date, only 10 geriatric hospitals have been selected to offer such services in a pilot pogram. Their number should increase as more households are opting to make use of geriatric hospitals for ailing old family members. Policymakers should also realize that prolonged periods of caregiving can mentally and physically strain family members, resulting in unfortunat
e incidents. As a result, policymakers should draft more preemptive programs to detect and assist such families.

On a positive note, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) backs a similar support program for caregiving. Expanding support for caregiving– short and long-term — will mean bolstering financial assistance, and this helps when the ruling administration an the ruling People Power Party and the DPK stand on the same page.

One Seoul National University study estimates the total cos of the country’s caregiving services in 2022 at over 10 trillion won ($7.46 billion), a significant increase of 8 trillion won from 2018 and 3.6 trillion won from 2008. As our population ages and the number of single households increases, the cost in the future invariably will go up. Providing quality of life to people through affordable and available caregiving is the responsibility of the government and our society.

Source: Yonhap News Agency