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KMID : 0895320220310030251
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Korean Journal of Research in Gerontology
2022 Volume.31 No. 3 p.251 ~ p.265
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Loss of Independence in Old Age and Shortage of Long-term Care Workers
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Youn Ga-Hyun
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Abstract
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It would be so difficult to maintain independence for older adults if they lose mobility due to diseases or disability. The older population has been growing rapidly in most countries, and it means that number of older adults with long-term care need is increasing. The family members have been basically responsible to take care of them, the recent situation would be getting harder and harder for the members to provide care services. Moreover, formal caregivers tend to quit their jobs with ease because of excessive work as well as low pay. As time goes by, therefore, it is expected that caregiver shortage would be more severe and severe. For the reason, the older adults might have to live in a crisis state of the shortage as they get older. As its countermeasure, everyone should take care of his/her health to maintain muscle strength even when he/she ages. At the same time, specific ways to help families in need of long-term care and to help the formal caregivers return to the long-term care facilities should be found at the national level. Also, every older adult could be treated or cared within his/her community no matter how bad his/her health would be. For instance, multi-family housing system equipped with treatment and/or care facilities should be actively realized. This kind of social atmosphere can create age-friendly communities, and become a means of decreasing social expenditures related to caring for the geriatric patients.
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KEYWORD
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Older adults, Long-term care, Lack of care workers, Loss of independence, Migrant care worker
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