Jeonnam Province Strengthens 'Welfare Services' Including Linking Elderly Paper Collection Jobs

More Than Half of Elderly Living Alone or Senior Citizens in First Survey Results

[Muan=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeonnam Province conducted the first survey on the actual conditions of elderly people collecting waste paper, revealing that more than half live alone, their health is generally good, but the majority are elderly. Accordingly, the province plans to strengthen welfare services such as linking elderly job opportunities.

The province announced on the 22nd that it conducted a full survey over three months until February to understand the health and living conditions of elderly waste paper collectors and to enhance welfare service support tailored to individual needs.

Until now, surveys on elderly waste paper collectors were only included as part of the elderly condition surveys conducted every three years by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, mainly confirming the proportion of elderly participating in waste paper collection activities.

This survey was conducted as a full survey by welfare officials in towns, townships, and neighborhoods. The results showed that among elderly aged 65 and over, 530 were engaged in waste paper collection activities, and 500 of them, accounting for 94.3%, responded to the survey.

Among the 500 surveyed elderly, 56% were male, more than females, with the largest age group being 75-79 years old at 33%, and 82% were between 70 and 85 years old.

Among elderly waste paper collectors, 51% lived alone, 39% were couples, and 1% were grandparent-grandchild households, the smallest group.

Regarding health status, 46% were in good health, and among those not healthy, 25% were registered disabled.

Seventeen percent had chronic diseases, 12% were not disabled but had mobility difficulties, and 1% suffered from mental illnesses such as depression. Those with chronic diseases and depression are being managed in connection with public health centers.

Additionally, 484 were receiving welfare services such as basic pensions, and through this survey, 6 more people newly became beneficiaries, resulting in a total of 98% receiving welfare services. The remaining 2% exceeded the income and property criteria.

Among welfare service beneficiaries, 33% were basic livelihood security recipients, indicating low-income elderly.

Jeonnam Province confirmed through this survey that 10% of elderly waste paper collectors participated in elderly job projects, and 1% participated in jobs for the disabled.

It was found that 44% of elderly waste paper collectors had difficulty participating in government-supported job projects due to health problems and other reasons.

A Jeonnam Province official stated, “Based on the results of the first-ever survey on elderly waste paper collectors, we will strengthen welfare services such as linking elderly job opportunities.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.