"No One to Help in Difficult Times" Rate, Korean Elderly Three Times Higher than OECD Average [10 Million Elderly Era]⑬

Senior isolation is emerging as a social issue overseas as well. Isolated living in old age carries a high risk of solitary death, prompting governments around the world to actively develop countermeasures. Since South Korea's issue of 'social isolation of the elderly' is considered serious on a global scale, it is necessary to refer to various overseas measures and utilize them in policy formulation.

According to the Statistics Development Institute of Statistics Korea's "Social Trends in Korea: Status and Outcomes of Social Isolation" (2019), the rate of "having no one to turn to in times of difficulty" in Germany, the United States, and Japan ranged from 5% to 12% over a decade from 2010. In South Korea, the rate exceeded 20% in many years during the same period. The differences by age group become even more pronounced when compared internationally.

The Statistics Development Institute compared the age-specific rates of lack of social support based on the Gallup World Poll (2006?2014) and found that among those aged 50 and older, the proportion of respondents who said "there is no one to help in times of difficulty" averaged 13% in OECD countries, whereas in Korea it was exactly three times higher at 39%. Professor Han Jun of Yonsei University, who conducted the study, analyzed that "in terms of lack of support, social isolation in Korean society is a serious situation." He added, "because social welfare services operate on an 'application-based' system, people cannot receive benefits if they are unaware of government support policies," advising that "the government should actively seek out isolated elderly individuals and include them in the welfare network." For example, it is explained that services such as meal delivery, home health care, or utilizing volunteers to explore neighborhoods, identify isolated residents in living spaces, and report them should be implemented.

“Daily Life Recovery Support” in advanced foreign countries is a good example of such measures. Daily Life Recovery Support helps individuals improve physical functions and maintain independence through meaningful activities in their living environment. According to the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs' "Case Study on Welfare State Institutional Reform" (2022), over the past decade, countries such as the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Denmark, and Norway have adopted this as a care model for isolated elderly people. Home visit management through in-home personnel services is representative.

Additionally, since the 1990s, Japan has implemented the 'Solitary Death Zero Project,' selecting high-risk groups for solitary death as prevention management targets and establishing counseling hotlines for solitary death prevention. There is also a visiting medical service called the 'Ounjin system.' This not only manages health but also allows for checking on the well-being of elderly people living alone, among other benefits. The United Kingdom established a Ministry of Loneliness in 2018 to actively address elderly loneliness, and the United States has created "naturally occurring retirement communities" in the form of cooperatives, where volunteers check on the health and meal status of elderly residents. In areas where over 50% of the population is aged 60 or older, services such as health management, meal provision, and social activities are offered. Exercise classes, cultural events, and educational programs are also included. These initiatives support independent living and social connections for the elderly, contributing to improved quality of life.

Professor Heo Junsu of Soongsil University's Department of Social Welfare explained, "In advanced countries for elderly welfare, older adults can participate in activities like badminton and other group exercises in the community without bearing costs." He added, "In South Korea, such activities incur costs, making it difficult for economically disadvantaged elderly living alone to participate," and emphasized, "First, a comprehensive survey of the elderly should be conducted to accurately identify those living alone and to focus on managing social isolation and resulting solitary deaths."