Addressing Gaps in Recovery Care
for National Basic Livelihood Security Recipients
and the Near-Poor
On December 19, Gangbuk-gu in Seoul (District Mayor Lee Soonhee) announced that it will provide a "Free Caregiving Service" for low-income residents who require temporary care due to illness or accident.
This initiative was established to help residents who face difficulties in treatment and recovery due to the burden of caregiving costs, enabling them to return to daily life in a stable manner.
The beneficiaries are recipients of the National Basic Livelihood Security Program and those in the near-poor category residing in Gangbuk-gu. Eligible individuals can receive free caregiving services necessary for recovery, including assistance with physical activities, hygiene and cleanliness management, and medication support. Meal assistance, position changes, and activities to maintain or improve physical function are also included. The service is available for up to 10 days per person, with operating hours from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays.
The caregiving service can be used at hospitals within the district and at certain hospitals outside the district. However, rehabilitation hospitals, long-term care hospitals, and integrated nursing care wards are excluded from the scope of support. The service provider is the Gangbuk Regional Self-Sufficiency Center's Caregiving Project Team, which supplies caregiving personnel through affiliated hospitals.
Residents wishing to apply can visit their local community service center according to their address. The district expects that this program will improve medical accessibility for vulnerable groups who have struggled to use caregiving services for financial reasons, and also help alleviate the burden of care on families.
Gangbuk-gu stated, "Caregiving plays an important role in the treatment process, but many people face difficulties due to the cost burden. We will continue to expand community-based caregiving support so that vulnerable groups can focus on their treatment with peace of mind."
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