"Couldn’t Move in Bed, Now Walking 600 Steps a Day" [Turning My Home into a Senior House]

A Mini Health Center Visits Rural Homes
A Team of Nurse, Nutritionist, and Physical Therapist
'Care Station' Vehicle Delivers Services to Elderly in Need

▲Jeong Hak-young and Kim Su-nam, a couple receiving home medical care services, are being photographed at their home in Jincheon-gun, Chungbuk, where they have been living their retirement life, on November 4th last year. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

The car with a sticker reading 'Care Station' stopped in front of a two-story house located at the foot of Janggun Mountain in Jincheon, Chungbuk. One nurse, one nutritionist, and one physical therapist got out of the car one after another. Grandfather Jeong Hak-yeong (78) greeted them warmly as if they were familiar. It was the afternoon of November 4th last year, when persimmons were ripening beautifully on the persimmon tree in the yard.

The Care Station is a 'mini health center' that visits every corner of the countryside. It is jointly operated by the Jincheon County Office and Jincheon Central Jeil Hospital to take care of elderly people living at home. Their mission is to provide medical and care services for the elderly. Since rural houses are scattered here and there, it takes at least 30 minutes for each trip. Grandfather Jeong's house was the third home they visited that day.

A Car Carrying a Nurse, Nutritionist, and Physical Therapist

Medical staff belonging to the 'Dolbom Station' in Jincheon-gun, Chungbuk, are preparing to move by vehicle on November 4 last year. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong

Grandmother Kim Su-nam (76), Jeong’s wife, welcomed them like her own children. "My husband was like a walking corpse just three months ago. But now he has come back to life, can sit up, and even walk, so I am just grateful."

Grandfather Jeong collapsed last spring. He was shocked to learn that his wife had blood cancer. When she went to Chungbuk National University Hospital in Cheongju for chemotherapy, he suffered from depression. "At that time, I didn’t move at all and just lay in bed. I thought about dying several times a day."

Jeong began to regain his strength starting from August, when the Care Station car first visited. On the first day, a neurosurgeon came. "Your legs are not completely paralyzed, so you need rehabilitation exercises. I will also prescribe medication for depression," he said. After that, a physical therapist visited once a week to help with muscle strengthening exercises. Jeong said, "Now I walk about 600 steps a day in my room. Confirming that I can walk has improved my mood."

Grandfather Jeong Hak-yeong, who is receiving integrated care home health medical services, is moving with medical staff at his home in Jincheon-gun, Chungbuk, on November 4 last year. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong

"Things changed immediately after the teachers came"

The pressure sore on his left hip, which troubled him while bedridden, also improved, but proper nutrition is crucial for full recovery. Nutritionist Kim Ha-neul said, "Pressure sores don’t improve just with treatment; nutritional status must be considered. We provided nutritious meal boxes and gave nutrition education to ensure he consumes protein-rich foods."

"Those teachers came and treated me, and things changed immediately. Dear, please hand me the rubber band." Grandfather’s voice became clear as he looked for the leg exercise band. The connection with the Care Station began when his eldest son called the township office to apply for his long-term care grade. At that time, the township office official said, "Even if you don’t have a long-term care grade, if you need care immediately, we can help."

Grandfather Jeong Hak-yeong is lying on a medical bed set up in the living room of his home in Jincheon-gun, Chungbuk, on November 4th last year, doing rehabilitation exercises. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong

Jincheon County classifies elderly people aged 75 or older with mobility difficulties, like Grandfather Jeong, as integrated care recipients. As of December last year, there were a total of 813 integrated care recipients. The integrated care service charges fees based on economic status. Elderly people with financial means like Grandfather Jeong bear 10-20% of the total cost. Rehabilitation exercise services cost 10,000 KRW for 8 sessions. Nutritious meals are free until this year, but starting next year, recipients must pay 10% (750 KRW per meal).

Lee Jae-cheol, the integrated care officer of Jincheon County, said, "The Care Station team recommended installing non-slip pads and handrails in Grandfather Jeong’s bathroom. For elderly people with mobility difficulties like him, integrated care focuses not only on medical treatment but also on necessary home repairs."