The purpose of this study was to examine how free nursing homes, one of the representative welfare facilities for the residence of elderly people, were actually run and what problems they encountered. It's basically intended to discuss support and car...
The purpose of this study was to examine how free nursing homes, one of the representative welfare facilities for the residence of elderly people, were actually run and what problems they encountered. It's basically intended to discuss support and care for senior citizens, not from a individual family perspective but from a broader viewpoint, and seek ways to help them lead a life worthy of man. The subjects in this study were 132 elderly people and 52 employees from five nursing homes in Daejeon and South Chungcheong province. After a survey was conducted with structured questionnaires, the following findings were acquired:
First, social welfare facilities in our country, including institutes for the elderly, are primarily run by the private sector, and they are compelled to be supervised by the government as they exist for public good.
Second, the quality of life for elderly people in free nursing homes is determined by which care is provided to them. The institutional care should be upgraded to be more than mere livelihood protection, and the government needs to give rational and realistic aid after what they really want is identified accurately. The free elderly facilities will be said to function right when elderly people's psychological and social needs are satisfied.
Third, free elderly welfare facilities should be located in a way to meet each geographic region's demand, and should address the elderly's diverse need in each area. As long-term institutionalized senior citizens feel lonely or alienated, a short-term care should be prepared to prevent them from losing social adaptability.
Fourth, more professional workers should be secured. The current elderly welfare act about employee posting and certified personnel should be changed to increase qualified human resources.
Fifth, sufficient finance and more equipment should be procured. The way to guarantee a life worthy of man is preparing every equipment needed for living and securing enough financial resources. To be efficient, free nursing homes need to be well equipped and acquire sufficient working expenses.
Sixth, services and programs provided by the nursing homes were found to be satisfactory in general. However, most institutions for the elderly scarcely provide various types of programs, and there is no investment in program development due to the limited financial backup from the government. Better-quality programs should be developed by extended subsidy or support from the government.