The Korean elderly population needs socializing
The community in the super-aged society is not yet ready
Korea will become a super-aged society within 20 years, but there is not enough space for the elderly to socialize. In addition, the suicide rates of elderly Koreans who feel isolated is increasing. Therefore, the elderly who want to meet people but don't have a place to meet them need community-based facilities and services for this purpose.
One in five senior citizens within the next 25 years
The elderly population in Korea is increasing rapidly. According to UN standards, if the population aged 65 or older exceeds 7% of the total, it is called an “aging society.” If it is over 14%, it is called an “aged society.”, If it is over 20%, it is called a “super-aged society.” The UN predicts that Korea, which became an aging society in 2000, will have a super-aged society by 2026.
In particular, 2020 was the year when those born in 1955, the first Baby Boomer generation in Korea, turned 65 years old. The primary Baby Boomer population amounts to about 7.27 million people, similar to the current population of those aged 65 or older. In other words, the elderly population will grow at much faster pace in the future.
Life expectancy has been extended due to the development of medical technology, while the birth rate has slowed. Korea's life expectancy increased from 62.3 years old in 1970 to 83.3 years as of 2019. A report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation (OECD) stated, "Korea has been the youngest country ever, but it will change to the oldest country in the next 50 years." Korea, once the youngest country in the world, is now turning into the oldest country.
Many elderly people have no one to talk to
Another phenomenon is increasing as fast as the aging rate in Korea: depression and suicide rates in the elderly population. COVID-19 is making this situation worse because existing community facilities are closed and family meetings have decreased.
Statistics show a high suicide rate among those in their 70s and older. The total suicide rate in 2019 (the number of people who die by suicide out of 100,000 people) was 26.9%; 5.9% were teenagers, 19.2% were in their 20s, 26.9% were in their 30s, 31% were in their 40s, 33.3% were in their 50s, 33.7% were in their 60s, 46.2% were in their 70s, and 67.4% were in their 80s. As shown by these statistics, there were many suicides among people in their 70s and 80s.
The main cause of suicide is economic and social isolation. According to a survey of senior citizens released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, 10.9% of senior citizens reported that they had considered suicide after they reached the age of 60, citing economic difficulties (40.4%), health (24.4%), loneliness (13.3%), and conflict and disconnection with couples, children, and friends (11.5%).
As of 2019, there were 4.388 million elderly households, accounting for 21.8% of all households in Korea. Among these elderly households, one-person households accounted for 1.5 million (34.2%) households. The number of elderly living alone has increased by more than 50% in the last 10 years.
According to the Central Suicide Prevention Center, elderly people may consider themselves worthless due to depression and may think pessimistically. Jeon Hong-Jin, a professor of psychiatry at Samsung Medical Center, stated, “There are absolutely many senior citizens who visit the clinic due to depression.”
How can we build a community for the elderly population?
As many indicators show, elderly-related infrastructure is lacking compared to the aging rate in Korea. In particular, public services related to socializing among older people are still limited.
Previously, socializing for the elderly was centered around senior citizen centers in apartments, large discount stores, and cultural centers in department stores. However, according to a survey by The Scoop, senior citizen centers are known to have a clear hierarchy, and the cost of cultural centers is a burden. Furthermore, with the recent COVID-19 closures, there have not been enough places for the elderly to talk to others. Thus, more community spaces for senior citizens are needed so that the elderly can socialize.
The Korean government recognizes this problem and is creating a community care system. Community Care is an integrated care service provided by the community to help residents who need care (e.g., elderly, disabled) and allow them to enjoy services that suit their individual needs at their homes and in the community. The Basic Plan for Integrated Community Care, announced by the government in November 2018, includes expanding the residential support infrastructure, creating intensive visiting medical services, establishing long-term care insurance for the next generation, meal delivery, and establishing a care information counter in local.
However, there is no specific information on spaces and programs for the elderly to talk to other people. What kind of community should the elderly have for healthy socializing? Should the community building be public? How should we organize the community services? Discussions about communities where the elderly can socialize have just begun.
[by Sejin Kim]
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