The worldwide spread of COVID-19 has been causing an unprecedented economic and health crisis. Amid this pandemic, the world is paying attention to Korea's various strategies to tackle COVID-19.
The key measures taken by the Korean government could be summarized as 3Ts: Test (e.g. drive-through test centers, self-diagnosis mobile application), Trace (e.g. epidemiological investigations) and Treat (e.g. classification of patients by symptoms, national safe hospitals, clinical testing and R&D of vaccines and therapies). The Korean government has also undertaken economic and financial measures to minimize COVID-19’s impact on the economy, including the income subsidy for vulnerable households.
Meanwhile, the COVID-19 has hit older persons harder than other age groups. According to the US’ CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), the risk for severe illness from COVID-19 increases with age, with older adults at highest risk, as older persons are more likely to have underlying medical conditions as well as the weaker immune system. As reported by WHO in April 2020, in Europe, over 95% of COVID-19 related deaths occurred in people who are older than 60 years and more than 50% of all deaths were among people aged 80 and above.
Moreover, apart from these direct health impacts from COVID-19, older persons are also at risk both economically and socially. Older persons in more vulnerable situations, such as people living in poverty, people with dementia, people living in care facilities and remote areas, and who are living alone, could encounter higher risks than others during the pandemic. Also, the issues of hate speech against older persons, digital exclusion, and neglect and abuse have been rising as major social problems that need to be addressed.
Against this backdrop, many countries, and major international organizations and NGOs have been publishing statements and guidelines to ensure the rights of older persons. Based on these guidelines, each government should introduce concrete and timely measures to properly protect them and to build inclusive society during this unparalleled health crisis.
Although the Republic of Korea is said to have succeeded in curbing the number of confirmed cases and deaths through an advanced quarantine system, the country also grapples with the issue about their elderly given that the death rate of COVID-19 in Korea sharply rises from those in their 60s. Also, as of May 2020, almost 78% of COVID-19 related deaths were among those in their 70s and older.
In this regard, there are several measures taken to protect older persons during COVID-19 crisis in Korea, and some of them are listed as below:
A. Government
1) Application of untact online services
- Support for older persons with dementia: Dementia Safe Centers, which are established in the local public health centers across Korea, focus on the counseling, dementia testing, programs for persons with dementia and their family members, etc. Amid the pandemic, the operation of these centers became difficult so they applied the ICT-based programs, such as non-face-to-face dementia consultation and cognitive skill training programs using online content, to support persons with dementia and their family.
- ICT modules for the infection prevention and control for nursing hospitals: National Health Insurance Service(NHIS), has built the ICT modules in a medical institution portal named ‘Infection prevention and control’ especially for nursing hospitals, to help them check the compliance with guidelines for COVID-19 and notify the management report to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and local governments.
2) Emergency disaster relief funds
- In May 2020, the Korean government distributed the emergency disaster relief funds to all citizens (different amounts for each household according to the number of family members) to help them deal with financial strain from the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, vulnerable groups, including the persons who receive a basic old-age pension, the living wage, and disability pension, have received the fund directly through their bank accounts in cash without any application.
3) Emergency support for elderly and vulnerable groups
- The NHIS provided free face masks to long-term care institutions and distributed food to older persons and people who live alone.
In addition to the above measures taken primarily by the government and public institutions, local authorities have also been focusing on providing help to older persons at the community level.
B. Local authorities
1) Helpline and visiting service to relieve social isolation of older persons
- Due to the prolonged period of COVID-19, many older persons have been suffering from lethargy and depression, namely the COVID-19 Blue. Several local governments have been providing helpline service as well as visiting service to older persons living alone on a regular basis. Also, some provided bean sprouts growing kits, flower pots, and small space gardening to support older persons’ emotional stability.
2) Senior welfare centers’ online classes
- For the elderly who are in risk of social isolation and depression due to the temporary suspension of senior welfare centers after the outbreak of COVID-19, several senior welfare centers have introduced a wide variety of online classes such as exercise, yoga, dance, cooking, and education on utilizing smart technology which has become more important after the pandemic.
3) Face mask and food distribution
- For the elderly who are facing difficulties purchasing face masks, some local governments have provided free masks directly from the house to house. Also, the local authorities have been providing lunch box delivery services for vulnerable groups.
However, there are still many issues to be addressed, such as gaps in care services, the vulnerability of facilities for senior citizens, and high risk that is faced by caregivers. More detailed policies are urgently needed to support the elderly.
For more information about Korea’s updated status and overall response regarding COVID-19, please refer to the website dedicated to “COVID-19 in Korea” which is operated by the Ministry of Health of ROK as below:
Written by Researcher Youngmi Lee (lym3663@asemgac.org)
References
- http://ncov.mohw.go.kr/en/duBoardView.do?brdId=12&brdGubun=121&dataGubun=&ncvContSeq=1930&contSeq=1930&board_id=&gubun=
- https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/older-adults.html
- https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-emergencies/coronavirus-covid-19/statements/statement-older-people-are-at-highest-risk-from-covid-19,-but-all-must-act-to-prevent-community-spread
- http://www.monews.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=210521