[On Site, This Person] Yoo Yeja, Director of Gurye-gun Happy Senior Welfare Center

Providing Long-Term Care Services for Seniors for 17 Years
Achieved Top Rating in National Health Insurance Service Evaluations Five Times in a Row
"Aging Is a New Challenge... Society Must Take the Lead"

Yoo Yeja, Director of Gurye-gun Happy Senior Welfare Center.

"My goal in both my work and my life is to lead the lives of seniors in a warm and respectful direction."

This is the story of Yoo Yeja, Director of the Gurye-gun Happy Senior Welfare Center, who has been dedicated to improving the welfare of seniors for 17 years since 2008, providing services such as day care, home care, and bathing at the Gurye-gun Happy Senior Welfare Center and other facilities.

Director Yoo has shown deep interest in the rapidly progressing phenomenon of an aging society. As the population ages, the number of seniors who find it difficult to perform daily activities alone due to age-related diseases is increasing. At the same time, their families are facing a growing burden as they must care for their parents while also engaging in economic activities.

For these reasons, she entered the field of "long-term care services" to ensure that seniors can lead dignified lives and that families are not overburdened by the responsibility of caring for elderly members. Director Yoo's goal was not simply to provide basic care services, but to offer each senior a "meaningful day." Seventeen years have now passed since she began this mission-driven work in long-term care.

Through care services, seniors not only regain their health but also have new experiences. At a recent cafe experience event, one senior was amazed, saying, "So this is the kind of cafe my children told me about." Director Yoo explains that even small experiences like this help seniors recover both physically and emotionally. To this day, she feels the greatest happiness and sense of accomplishment when she sees seniors regaining their strength through care services.

Director Yoo explained, "When families live far away or are busy with work, most seniors end up spending much of their time alone. As a result, they may skip meals or suffer from poor nutrition, and with less physical activity, they become more susceptible to worsening age-related illnesses."

She added, "However, after receiving long-term care services, I often see formerly expressionless faces gradually light up with smiles and notice an increase in appetite. In particular, various physical activities, cognitive exercises, and social adaptation training bring new vitality to their later years. Every time I see seniors communicating with their peers and regaining their bright expressions, I am deeply reminded of how warm and rewarding this work is."

Gurye County Happy Senior Welfare Center was selected as the best institution (Grade A) for the fifth consecutive time in the "Long-Term Care Institution Evaluation" hosted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Health Insurance Service last year. Photo by Yoe Ja, Center Director

Thanks to Director Yoo's efforts, the Gurye-gun Happy Senior Welfare Center has achieved the highest "A grade" in all five evaluations of the "Long-Term Care Institution Evaluation" conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Health Insurance Service from 2012 to last year. This achievement was made possible by continuously improving service quality through regular staff training and meetings, updating manuals, and building trust by providing honest services. In addition, the center has consistently consulted with seniors and their guardians to provide tailored services for each individual.

Currently, the center has been selected for a pilot short-term care project and is actively participating in new programs and services introduced by the National Health Insurance Service, striving to adopt innovative services.

Director Yoo emphasized, "There are moments in life when we experience youth, but I believe that experiencing old age is a new challenge for everyone. The timing of this challenge is different for each person, and it often comes without warning. A society that provides stable and sustainable care services for seniors in such uncertain and difficult times is one that promises a healthy future."

She continued, "Currently, long-term care services in Korea are making significant contributions to improving the quality of life for all seniors. Ensuring that seniors can enjoy a comfortable and meaningful life in their later years is an important task that requires the attention, consideration, and preparation of society as a whole. Moving forward, we aim not only to provide physical care, but also to support the emotional well-being and social adaptation of seniors, helping them enjoy a healthy and vibrant old age. I hope these efforts will bring dignity and comfort to seniors and foster intergenerational solidarity and coexistence within the local community."