The problem of retired elderly caused by the aging society, increase of senior populations, and health and support issues is no longer a problem of an individual or a family, but is a social and national problem. Therefore, more progressive welfare po...
The problem of retired elderly caused by the aging society, increase of senior populations, and health and support issues is no longer a problem of an individual or a family, but is a social and national problem. Therefore, more progressive welfare policies for the retired elderly must be established. In order to satisfy the various and complex needs of the elderly, more professional systematic services must be provided. However, today's welfare services for the retired elderly lack professionalism and systemization. Therefore, this study examined and analyzed the general characteristics of the retired elderly, their understandings and uses of the existing welfare services, and their preferences and needs in various kinds of the services provided. By doing so, it is purposed to reveal the importance and the existing problems of the current welfare services for the retired elderly and to derive appropriate vitalization measures in addition to the current services.
This study implemented man-to-man interviews by a trained interviewer using a programmed survey sheet and the interviewees were 160 retired elderly in the ages of over 65 years who are currently living in Dalseo-gu, Daegu. The following summarizes the results from the interviews.
First, the retired elderly generally had very poor economic conditions, but majority of them were living alone or with their spouse showing a high willingness to separate from and be independent from their offspring. However, they were not in good health conditions. Second, the retired elderly mostly had low understandings and uses of the welfare services, but many of them responded that they would pay for or receive free home volunteer services and home nursing services, revealing that they prefer receiving services in their homes. Third, the retired elderly were in need of medical services more than any other welfare services. Therefore, more various and professional service systems must be established for the health issues of the retired elderly. Fourth, they preferred home volunteer workers or home nurses as their care service providers in case of a long-term illness and were highly positive towards the home volunteer workers.
Based on the above results, the following lists possible vitalization measures for the welfare services for retired elderly.
First, the welfare services for retired elderly must be more widely spread to the retired elderly through various PR systems and must be expanded to be provided for not only the low-income classes but also ordinary elderly to receive various and professional welfare services. Second, the welfare services must have better connections with health care and medical services for the elderly to receive good medical cares and services in easily accessible local community centers. Third, the manpower involvement must be expanded and professionalized for the provision of welfare services for the retired elderly and more specified legal evidence must be established for the efficient use of the existing manpower. Fourth, the home volunteer services for retired elderly must be vitalized more widely and the services that are currently provided to certain low-income classes must be expanded with community funds or as charged services for any retired elderly to use easily at anywhere anytime.