71-Year-Old Neighbor Caring for 91-Year-Old: "I'll Deliver Sister's Lunch" [Senior House]

[3-2] 91-Year-Old Grandmother and 71-Year-Old Grandmother

Supporting Each Other in Difficult Lives: 'NoNo Care'
LH7 Complex, Eungye, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do
Monthly Rent 50,000 KRW, 'Senior Welfare Housing' Rented to Basic Livelihood Security Recipients

On the 1st of last month, grandmothers were walking together in the corridor on the 5th floor of Building 702, LH Complex 7, Eungye, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do, a senior welfare housing created by Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH). Photo by Sim Nayoung

On the 5th floor corridor of Building 702, Unit 7, Eun-gye LH Complex, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi Province, on the 1st of last month, Grandma Im Bok-rye (91, pseudonym) opened her door after four days. Leaning on a folding cart, she took a few steps, and Grandma Lee Soon-deok (71, pseudonym), who lives next door, stopped on her way and stayed by her side.

"Spring came really late this year. Even though I wanted to exercise, it was too cold, so I couldn't at all. I came out to try walking here at least," said Grandma Im. As soon as she finished speaking, Grandma Lee raised her voice as much as possible to urge her, "Please walk slowly. I'll quickly bring your lunchbox from the welfare center cafeteria." Grandma Im nodded while adjusting her hearing aid.

Grandma Lee, who is relatively young among the residents here, is the 'group leader' who takes care of four elderly neighbors on the same floor, including Grandma Im. She knocks on doors daily to check on them and runs simple errands. While hurrying to get the lunchbox, Grandma Lee pressed the doorbell of the next house again. A grandfather's voice came through the intercom, "I'm not dead. I'm watching TV."

In Building 702, elderly people in similar situations live relying on each other. Out of 190 households, 109 receive basic living security benefits. This place is a ‘Senior Welfare Housing.’ The Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH) operates it by renting out an entire building of public rental apartments exclusively to elderly residents. While ‘Senior Care Safe Housing’ is a small-scale housing operated by local governments, this place can be considered a residential form that embraces more elderly people in difficult circumstances.

On the 1st of last month, an elderly man was walking in front of Building 702, LH Complex 7, Eungye, Siheung-si, Gyeonggi-do, a senior welfare housing created by Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH). Photo by Shim Nayoung

Next to the apartment is a senior welfare center that offers free lunchboxes on weekdays, classrooms to learn dance and billiards, and even simple health checkups. LH is building all senior welfare housing nationwide with such facilities combined.

A 23㎡ (about 8 pyeong) studio with a sink and bathroom in one room. With a deposit of 1 million KRW, basic living security recipients pay only 46,790 KRW monthly rent. Grandpa Jung Deok-gu, who turned eighty this year, said, "Life is tough, but I feel at ease knowing I have a place to live until I die," and added with teary eyes, "They even gave me a part-time job guiding seniors at the welfare center. Thanks to that, I can earn some living expenses, and I am so grateful."

There are many elderly people waiting here due to lack of vacancies. An LH official said, "Senior welfare housing in the metropolitan area is currently fully occupied," and "At Eun-gye LH Complex 7, Building 702, 21 people are currently waiting to move in." The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced in March that it will triple the annual supply of senior welfare housing for homeless elderly households from 1,000 to 3,000 units.