Gyeonggi-do's "Caregiving SOS Project" Surpasses 1,000 Beneficiaries Among Vulnerable Seniors

The number of beneficiaries of Gyeonggi-do's "Caregiving SOS Project," which provides up to 1.2 million won per year in caregiving expenses to vulnerable individuals aged 65 and older, has surpassed 1,000.

Gyeonggi-do announced on December 8 that, as of December 3, the number of beneficiaries for the Caregiving SOS Project, which began on February 20, had reached 1,079.

The Caregiving SOS Project is a program that supports low-income seniors aged 65 and older in the province who have been hospitalized in medical institutions due to injuries or illnesses and have received caregiving services.

Each individual can receive up to 1.2 million won per year. Gyeonggi-do is the first among all metropolitan governments in the country to provide caregiving expenses directly to patients.

Poster for Gyeonggi-do Caregiving SOS Project 안내

Since the project targets low-income seniors, both patients and their caregivers have reported significant benefits, both financially and psychologically.

Mr. A, a man in his 70s living in Yeoju, has cared for his younger brother, who suffers from cognitive decline due to alcohol dependence, for 37 years.

Mr. A said, "My brother cannot walk properly and needs to be supported, but since there are no other family members, it was very difficult to manage on my own. This year, for the first time, I received caregiving support from Gyeonggi-do, which made it much easier to care for my brother."

Ms. B, who lives in Namyangju and cares for her mother-in-law with multiple myeloma, said, "My mother-in-law was hospitalized for nearly a month, but her children, who work, could not take a whole month off or stay at the hospital all day. The caregiving support allowed us to hire a caregiver, which was very helpful."

Ms. C, a woman in her 60s living in Uiwang, who has cared for her husband who suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction for two and a half years, expressed her gratitude, saying, "Paying for treatment was always a concern, but this year, for the first time, I received 1.2 million won in caregiving support, which greatly helped with his treatment."

The Caregiving SOS Project is currently being implemented in 15 out of 31 cities and counties in the province, including Namyangju, Pyeongtaek, and Siheung, which are participating in the matching program.

Low-income seniors aged 65 and older who live in these cities or counties and require caregiving can apply easily after being hospitalized and using caregiving services, either at their local administrative welfare center or through Gyeonggi Civil Service 24 (gg24.gg.go.kr). Application forms are also available at the Provincial Financial Welfare Support Centers, where guidance is provided during in-person consultations.

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