Long-term care needs of the elderly in Korea and elderly long-term care insurance

Korea is one of the fastest-aging societies in the world. According to the Korea National Statistical Office, the number of those aged 65 years and older will dramatically increase from 9.1% in 2005 to 37.3% in 2050. It is very evident that Korea must urgently prepare itself for new times. The government insurance policy for elderly people, now called long-term care insurance, is ultimately designed for providing home- and facility-based supports to seniors with geriatric diseases and dementia, as well as for reducing the support burden on other family members. This article is to introduce the long-term care insurance of Korea and thereby to advocates the necessity of international discussion of the prospects for developing health care for aging populations; its aim is to encourage the sharing of differing national experiences concerning care for the elderly.