[Reportage] The Bittersweet Reality of Senior Day Care Centers Amid Aging Population... Urgent Solutions Needed

Improvement Needed for Treatment of Day Care Center and Nursing Home Staff
Workers Struggle Amid Poor Facilities and Staffing Shortages
Local Governments Say, "Insufficient Funding... National-Level Support Is Urgently Needed"

At a day care center in Haenam County, South Jeolla Province, daily routines repeat themselves, yet beneath the surface lie unseen conflicts and real-life challenges. At 10 a.m. on September 16, Park, a man in his 90s, opened the door to the A Weekly Care Center in Haenam. Now in his second year of visiting the center, Park's steps have become a natural part of his daily life.

"At first, I received care services at home. But having a female caregiver bathe me made me feel very uncomfortable," Park recalled, shaking his head. Receiving care in such a private space brought him stress, which ultimately led him to turn to the day care center. He now says that his daily life at the center is a much better choice.

An elderly person using the A Weekly Care Center is sitting on a massage chair, receiving a full-body massage and resting. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

"It's comfortable here. I can participate in activities with my peers, and above all, I love the sense of freedom. The meals are delicious, they give us snacks, and there's even a full-body massage chair," he said, a smile spreading across his face. For Park, a day at the day care center is not just time spent-it is a source of comfort itself.

At the same time, Kim, a woman in her 80s, was enjoying herself with other elderly people, sharing laughter. "Here, we have various programs all day, delicious meals, and even snacks... It's like a kindergarten for seniors. Time flies when I'm talking with my friends," Kim said, expressing pride in her enjoyable daily life.

However, not all elderly people are satisfied with life at the day care center. Lee, a woman in her 70s, did not hide her fear of nursing homes. "Nursing homes feel restrictive and confining. I'm worried that my children might send me there if my health deteriorates. If I go there, I might not be able to get out of bed, and my quality of life would decline," Lee said, expressing her fear of the restrictive environment of nursing homes and emphasizing that the day care center remains an important space for her.

The sight of the grandmother who has been refusing nursing homes and visiting the day care center for five years despite her dementia and bedridden condition is heartbreaking. Photo by Lee Jungyeong

What was especially striking was the sight of another elderly woman who, despite her dementia and bedridden condition, has insisted on coming to the day care center for five years. Even with limited mobility, she comes to the center every day to spend time with her peers, clearly showing just how meaningful the day care center is for the elderly.

Around 2 p.m. that day, B, a care worker at the day care center, was taking a brief break after helping the elderly with lunch cleanup. "Every morning, I prepare lunch boxes, greet the elderly, drive the shuttle, lead morning exercises, assist with programs, help with restroom use, serve snacks, prepare and clean up lunch-there's really no time to rest," B said in a weary voice, describing her heavy workload.

However, the biggest issue she raised was the lack of proper compensation. "Staff at nursing homes receive a special monthly allowance of 50,000 won, but we only receive a 20,000 won improvement allowance. We work nonstop at the day care center, so how can this kind of discrimination make sense?" she said, unable to hide her dissatisfaction.

The staff at the day care center, participating in various programs such as mini bowling with the admitted elderly, present an impressive scene. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

Indeed, according to Haenam County's 2025 budget, the improvement allowance for day care center staff is only 20,000 won per month, while nursing home staff receive 50,000 won per month. The gap in compensation is clear.

C, another staff member at the day care center, pointed out the lack of facilities. "We have a full-body massage chair, but we really lack essential rehabilitation facilities and various exercise program spaces," he said, emphasizing that the chronic issue is actually a shortage of staff. Because of the poor working conditions, it is difficult to recruit new employees, and existing staff are leaving.

While there are 18 nursing facilities in Haenam, there are only 7 day care centers. With the elderly population rapidly increasing, the number of day care centers is clearly insufficient. Day care centers are crucial spaces where seniors can receive necessary care and participate in activities for a certain period without leaving their families. However, the current number of facilities and the treatment of staff are far from sufficient to meet the surging demand.

Elderly people using the day care center are resting and chatting after lunch. Photo by Lee Jungkyung

Day care centers and nursing homes each provide different values to the elderly. Day care centers are suitable for those who desire a free and independent daily life, while nursing homes are for those who need 24-hour professional care. However, the gap in staff compensation between these two types of facilities is fueling conflict, and the staffing shortage is becoming increasingly serious.

An official from Haenam County explained the practical difficulties, stating, "Although the budgets for elderly care facilities and day care centers are limited, we are continuously working to improve staff compensation and provide better facilities. In particular, the improvement allowance for day care center staff is 100% funded by the county."

This year, the county is providing 156 million won in improvement allowances for staff at home-based long-term care institutions and 120 million won in special allowances for nursing home staff. In addition, the county supports continuing education for nursing home care workers and provides 56 million won for program operation costs at senior day care centers.

However, given the region's rapidly aging population, the shortage of facilities and poor working conditions for staff are urgent issues that must be addressed. The need for sustainable solutions that can both meet the diverse needs of the elderly and improve staff treatment is not unique to Haenam County. The rapidly aging future of South Jeolla Province demands more consideration and effective solutions.