Gyeongsangnam-do announced that it will expand the operation of the 365 Safe Ward, where caregivers take care of patients 24 hours a day instead of guardians.
Gyeongnam Province plans to increase the 356 Safe Ward, which was previously operated with 76 rooms and 417 beds, to 84 rooms and 456 beds this year.
The 365 Safe Ward is a joint caregiving service support project promoted by Gyeongnam Province since 2010 to reduce the psychological and economic burden of caregiving for residents, and was used by 11,909 patients last year alone.
Four professional caregivers per room work in three shifts, 24 hours a day, providing caregiving services including personal hygiene and activity assistance for patients.
The average daily caregiving fee for a general room in the 365 Safe Ward is 130,000 KRW, and it can be used for a minimum of 15 days per person and up to 50 days depending on the doctor's opinion.
Patients without anyone to provide treatment or nursing, such as homeless patients, homeless people, and emergency medical support recipients, are free of charge.
Recipients under the Medical Aid Act and low-income groups pay only 10,000 KRW per day, and health insurance subscribers aged 65 or older pay 20,000 KRW per day.
Residents who wish to receive caregiving support can fill out and submit a caregiving support application form at a designated 365 Safe Hospital, and after consultation with a doctor, the provision of the service will be decided.
For more details, inquiries can be made at the health centers of the respective cities and counties.
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