"Overcoming Post-Retirement Depression"... Elderly Visiting 100-Year Healing Center

Increase in Elderly Living Alone and Suicide Rates
Program Participants Surpass 4,577
Art, Music, and Cooking Classes Operated

“After retirement, I felt a lot of depression, but my life has become enjoyable.”

Mr. Lee Jae-dae is consulting with a social worker.
[Photo by Life Insurance Social Contribution Foundation]

As the country approaches an ultra-aged society early next year, elderly suicide is emerging as a social issue. In particular, men have a suicide rate about 2 to 3 times higher than women due to the lack of social networks. Various programs such as smartphone use, cooking, and music for these elderly men have been launched and are receiving positive responses.

According to the Life Insurance Social Contribution Foundation on the 2nd, the ‘Life Forest 100-Year Healing Center’ operates in 15 locations nationwide, with a cumulative total of 4,577 program participants. This program supports daily living independence, social skills enhancement, and health promotion for elderly men living alone.

The daily living independence program includes cooking classes, organizing and storage, personal hygiene management, and financial management. The social skills enhancement program offers smartphone usage education, art, and music classes. The health promotion program provides silver taekwondo, stretching exercises, and disease prevention education. The cognitive rehabilitation program includes tablet PC-based face-to-face and non-face-to-face integrated cognitive training, reminiscence therapy, and emotional support.

Mr. Lee Jae-dae (85), who lives in Okcheon-gun, Chungbuk, said, “My wife passed away three years ago, and then a social worker recommended that I participate in the program. At first, I couldn’t cook, so I bought prepared food, but learning to cook has helped me a lot.” He added, “These days, I find staying at home very boring, so I decided to try things I’ve never done before. One of those is music, so I am actively participating in guitar classes. We gather with local people, chat, and enjoy our time together.”

Currently, the number of elderly living alone in Korea is increasing, and the suicide rate is very high. The proportion of elderly living alone has steadily risen from 19.3% in 2018 to 21.1% in 2023. The suicide rate recorded 25.2 per 100,000 people in 2022. The male suicide rate is 35.3, and the female suicide rate is 15.1. This is the highest figure among OECD countries.

A representative from the Life Insurance Social Contribution Foundation said, “Elderly men tend to be relatively passive in social activities such as welfare center programs. Living alone without interaction with others can easily lead to depression and disorganized daily life. We will continue to develop projects so that citizens can enjoy a more vibrant senior life.”