Starting on the 27th, elderly individuals over 65 and severely disabled individuals can receive integrated care services at their own residences in South Korea.
Beginning on the 27th, South Korea will implement a new integrated care service for elderly individuals aged 65 and above, as well as for severely disabled individuals. This service aims to provide healthcare, caregiving, and daily life support from the comfort of one's own home rather than requiring visits to care facilities. The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced this initiative along with a detailed roadmap for community-based integrated care, which will be gradually rolled out in phases, starting from this year through to 2030. The new initiative, which stems from the recently established 'Integrated Care Support Law' set to be enacted in March 2024, will initially target elderly and disabled individuals who require significant medical attention and care. The program will be expanded to include those with severe mental illnesses by 2028 and will continue to assess and include additional high-need groups by 2030, ultimately aiming for a comprehensive support system spanning from frailty prevention to end-of-life care. While the integrated care service promises to reduce regional disparities in the provision of care, experts emphasize the necessity for meticulous support to ensure its successful implementation. Feedback from social welfare specialists suggests that effective linkages between medical, caregiving, and daily living services are crucial for the success of this program, necessitating the involvement of care managers who can provide tailored services for individuals in need.
