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Community integrated care must move forward despite challenges

Published: 27 Mar. 2026, 00:00

A caregiver tends to a patient at a nursing hospital in Guro District, Seoul. [JOONGANG ILBO]

A nationwide system of community integrated care, designed to help elderly people and individuals with disabilities remain in their homes, takes effect Friday. The program is based on the Act on Integrated Support for Community Care in Medical and Long-Term Care, passed by the National Assembly with bipartisan support two years ago. The system aims to provide tailored services so that people in need of care can continue living in familiar surroundings rather than relying on nursing homes or long-term care hospitals.

Japan, which entered a super-aged society earlier than Korea, introduced a similar model through its community-based integrated care system in 2005. Given the growing limitations of family-centered care in Korea, the shift toward community-led care appears necessary despite expected difficulties and structural constraints.

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the first phase of the program, running this year and next, will target elderly individuals who require assistance with daily activities, older adults with disabilities and severely disabled individuals under the age of 65. The government plans to offer about 30 services, including home visits by medical professionals, rehabilitation support and mental health services. A second phase, scheduled to begin in the following year, will include home-based end-of-life care for patients with serious illnesses who are unlikely to recover.

If successfully implemented, the system could help elderly people and individuals with disabilities maintain dignity until the end of life, reduce the burden on families and lower social costs related to health insurance and long-term care. It could also ease pressure on institutional care facilities and improve overall quality of life for vulnerable populations.

However, significant challenges are expected, as resources in terms of funding, personnel and infrastructure remain insufficient. One of the most pressing issues is coordination between the central government and local authorities. Although the Ministry of Health and Welfare has increased its budget for elderly care this year, the funds are spread across 229 local governments, leaving each with only a limited amount. This raises concerns that disparities between regions could widen depending on local financial conditions and levels of preparedness.

Such concerns are particularly acute in rural areas, where medical personnel and infrastructure are already lacking. There is a risk that integrated care could remain largely symbolic in such regions if adequate support is not provided. In addition, home-based end-of-life care will require further legal and institutional safeguards to prevent unexpected complications and ensure patient safety.

Community integrated care has only just begun. Despite the many challenges ahead, it is essential that the system remain on course and continue to develop in a consistent and sustainable manner, supported by long-term policy commitment and public consensus.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.