Introduction

Definitions

It is the social insurance system that provides long-term care benefit to the elderly who have difficulties in taking care of themselves for more than 6 months due to old age or geriatric disease. It supports their physical activities or household chores based on the principle of social solidarity.

The long-term care insurance benefits are assistance with excretion, bathing, eating, cooking, washing, nursing, treatment or recuperation counseling. Developed countries that are experiencing the aging phenomenon have long history of long-term care systems and high-quality of long-term care services

Purpose (Article 1 of the Long-Term Care Insurance Act)

Article 1 (Purpose) is to pursue the improvement of health of senior citizens and the stabilization of their livelihood during post-retirement life, relieve family members from the burden of supporting them, and enhance the quality of life of citizens by providing for matters concerning long-term care benefits, such as aid provided for physical activites and household chores to senior citizens who have difficulties in carrying on with daily life on their own due to old age or senile diseases.