"Can't Do It with the 1 Million Won from the Government"… An Elderly Person's Home That Needs This Much Change to Live [My Home as a Senior House]

"Even with government support, only seniors with long-term care grades are eligible"
"One million won is not enough to make the living room safe"
"For seniors in poor health, arranging home repairs is a challenge"
"Small subsidies and connecting interior companies would greatly help
well-off seniors"

On November 18th last year, an interior construction worker is installing an Anshim Puzzle Mat in the living room of an apartment in Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, where grandfather Yoon Su-geun and grandmother Bang Hee-yeon reside. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Living room safety mats, bathroom anti-slip sheets, toilet grab bars...

One day last November, boxes of interior materials were neatly stacked in front of Yoon Su-geun’s (83) house in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. Two workers skillfully laid mats throughout the living room and installed grab bars in various places around the house.

Kwon Kyung-hyuk, CEO of Happy Aging, who was in charge of the installation, said, "Even just this much greatly reduces the chances of the elderly falling at home," adding, "Even if they do fall, the mats absorb the impact well, so there is no risk of injury."

"Now I don’t have to worry about falling"

On November 18 last year, non-slip tiles and a toilet assist device were installed in the bathroom of an apartment in Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, where grandfather Yoon Su-geun and grandmother Bang Hee-yeon reside. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Yoon’s wife, Bang Hee-yeon (81), said, "I’m especially glad we fixed the bathroom." She had always watched over her husband when he went to the bathroom late at night. "There was nothing for him to hold onto in the bathroom, so I was always worried he might fall forward. Now that there’s a grab bar by the toilet, he can manage on his own. I think I can sleep peacefully too." A safety bar was also installed next to the bed in the master bedroom. A remote control for the light, which can be turned on and off by pressing a button while lying down, was hung nearby.

Two years ago, Mr. Yoon was healthy enough to ride a bicycle around the neighborhood. He moved in right after the apartment was completed 21 years ago and had lived there ever since. He was also very involved in the community, even serving as the head of the apartment’s senior citizens’ association. "You know ‘Ddareungi’? It’s the city’s bike rental service. I was in charge of organizing and disinfecting those bikes. On my way home from that job, I fell and broke my hip. That’s when I became dependent on a cane."

Mr. Yoon was assessed for long-term care benefits. Recently, he nearly slipped badly in the living room but was saved thanks to his caregiver. His wife, who was nearby, barely managed to calm her startled heart. "After that incident, the caregiver told me that the government runs a program to renovate homes for seniors with long-term care grades. They provide 1 million won in support, so they suggested we apply. That’s how we ended up doing the renovation this time."

Grandmother Bang Hee-yeon is using a walking safety bar installed in the master bathroom of an apartment in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, on November 18 last year. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Government supports home repairs... eligibility should be expanded

Grandfather Yoon Su-geun and Grandmother Bang Hee-yeon stand side by side in the living room of an apartment in Mok-dong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, after completing the installation of a safety puzzle mat on November 18 last year. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

The official name of this program is the ‘Pilot Project for Creating Safe Environments for Seniors Living at Home.’ It is overseen by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Health Insurance Service. In 2023 (first round), 280 people applied, and last year (second round), 540 people applied. When safety items such as floor mats for the living room, bedroom, and bathroom, or safety grab bars are installed in the home, a subsidy of 1 million won is provided.

CEO Kwon founded Happy Aging, a social enterprise specializing in fall prevention for the elderly, and has been working in this field for 10 years. He said, "Most seniors try to save money and only repair up to 1 million won, but that amount is barely enough to cover mats for half the living room," adding, "In many cases, it only covers replacing broken bathroom faucets or light fixtures." One million won is far from enough to make seniors’ homes safe. At Mr. Yoon’s house, his children stepped in. The total cost of repairing the 84㎡ apartment was 2.45 million won. The children covered the remaining amount after deducting the 1 million won subsidy.

The youngest son, Yoon Hyun-jun, who happened to visit the house, looked around and added, "There must be many people like our parents who need home repairs, but it’s difficult for sick seniors to research and contract with interior companies themselves. It would be a great help if the government provided small subsidies to well-off households first, then suggested that seniors cover additional costs themselves, and connected them with interior companies."