"Doctor, I'll pay, so I hope you come to my house again" [Turning My Home into a Senior House]

"Doctor, I would pay if you could visit my home again"
Elderly people living alone with health issues
No one to take them to the hospital
In 'integrated care' areas, local clinic doctors provide home medical visits
Doctors visit every two weeks, nurses come weekly
My home becomes the clinic
If financially able, each visit costs 39,000 won
"Because the doctor comes to my home, I can keep living here"

On October 29 last year, grandfather Ahn Young-il is receiving long-term care home medical services from medical staff at an apartment in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

In an apartment in Buk-gu, Gwangju, 89-year-old grandfather Ahn Young-il, who lives alone, spends almost all his time at the dining table next to the kitchen. His wife, who had been with him all his life, suffered from dementia for 20 years before passing away three years ago. Except for the brief period when she was hospitalized in a nursing hospital, he cared for her alone. Having taken care of her for over two decades, it is no surprise that his own health has deteriorated.

One day, while getting out of bed, he fractured a vertebra. The cause was osteoporosis. Now, due to scoliosis, he cannot use his back at all. Even inside the house, he needs a cane to take a few steps. The dining table is where he always sits to avoid moving as much as possible. He grabs a few side dishes from the kimchi refrigerator within arm’s reach to get by with his meals. The medications he needs to take are also placed on the table.

"No one to take me to the hospital"

On October 29 last year, Grandpa Ahn Young-il was waiting for medical staff to visit to receive long-term care home medical services at an apartment in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

"I live on the 16th floor, so I barely remember the last time I set foot on the ground. Even when I’m just sitting still, my back aches, so I have to alternate sitting on my right and left hips. Going outside is out of the question."

His son, who lives in Gyeonggi Province, only comes during holidays to have a meal and then leaves. After receiving a long-term care grade, a caregiver visits five days a week, but only helps with two hours of housework daily. No one is in a position to take the grandfather to the hospital. The only fortunate thing is that since last year, medical staff have been visiting his home to provide care.

Buk-gu, Gwangju, is a pilot area for ‘integrated care’ where elderly people can receive medical care at home without going to the hospital. Home medical services started last year. There are about 300 home medical care recipients like the grandfather in Buk-gu alone. Nurses visit weekly, and doctors come every two weeks to his home.

▲Kim Jong-woo, director of Malgeunsum Woori Internal Medicine Clinic, is being interviewed after completing a home visit for grandfather Ahn Young-il at an apartment in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City on October 29, last year. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

At 1 p.m. on October 29 last year, the doorbell rang. "Father, I’m here. How have you been?" A young doctor and nurse opened their medical bags on the dining table and held the grandfather’s hand tightly. The doctor’s gown bore the inscription ‘Malgeunsum Woorinaegwa Director Kim Jong-woo.’ They asked if he had cold symptoms, how his back pain was, whether he still had painkillers and patches, if he was taking his medication properly, and also conducted a diabetes test. "Today, you also need to get a COVID shot. It will sting a little."

After the examination, Director Kim chatted with the grandfather. "Do you remember the old supermarket that used to be in front of the apartment? A new convenience store has opened there..." When talking about the neighborhood, a smile appeared on the grandfather’s face. Director Kim said, "Elderly people living alone in poor health can develop depression, so I try to have a lot of casual conversations."

"Doctor, after you leave, I feel pain again"

On October 29 last year, in the living room of Mr. Ahn Young-il, an elderly man living in an apartment in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City, who receives home medical care, there is a portrait of his late wife. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

The 20 minutes that Director Kim stays at the house always feel too short to the grandfather. "Doctor, after you leave, I feel pain again. I’m willing to pay more, so could you please come to my house just one more time?" He always pleads like this as the doctor leaves through the front door. "Is it really not possible?" This question makes it hard for Director Kim to walk away easily.

Each home medical visit costs the grandfather about 39,000 won. The consultation fee is about 130,000 won per visit, and since the grandfather is financially comfortable, he pays 30%. "I used to work as a public official at the Maritime Affairs Department. I’ve been all over Yeosu, Mokpo, and Jeju Island. I still receive a government pension, so paying for medical fees is no problem. But the biggest problem is people. I miss having people around."

The living room is filled with items he shared with his late wife, leaving no space to step. Old account books, a worn-out landline phone, and empty flowerpots are all kept without throwing anything away. In the sunniest spot in the house, there is a portrait of his wife. It is decorated with rosaries from the church and religious paintings he painted himself.

"I have so many memories that I can’t leave this house. You can’t bring all your belongings to a nursing home. When I miss my wife, I pick up a brush in the bedroom. I’ve been painting since middle school. I even had an exhibition at the church. At sunset, I look out the window for a moment. Watching children play in the playground is truly wonderful. I’m okay being alone. Since the doctor comes to my house, I don’t worry even when I’m in pain. I want to keep living at home."

On October 29 last year, Grandfather Ahn Young-il, who lives in a Jugong Apartment in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City and receives home medical care, is drawing a picture in his bedroom. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung