Caregiving Youth Have 7 Times Higher Depression Rates... Monthly Cost Alone 620,000 Won

The prevalence of depression among young family caregivers was found to be more than seven times higher than that of the general youth population. The average monthly caregiving cost exceeded 600,000 KRW, and the majority expressed the need for government livelihood support.

According to the results of the "Young Family Caregivers Survey" released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 26th, young caregivers reported lower life satisfaction and higher levels of depression compared to general youth. About 22% of young caregivers were dissatisfied with their lives, more than twice the rate of general youth (about 10%). For primary caregivers, the figure was even higher at 32%. The prevalence of depression among young caregivers was approximately 61%, and for primary caregivers, it was 71%, which is 7 to 8 times higher than that of general youth. The percentage of respondents who reported difficulties in future planning was 37%.

This survey was conducted last year to establish a systematic support system for young caregivers. It targeted individuals aged 13 to 34 who are caring for family members in need of care or are responsible for the household due to caregiving. The survey was conducted through questionnaires and in-depth interviews by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs.

Monthly Average Care Service Expenditure of Caregiving Youth. (Unit: %)

원본보기 아이콘

The proportion of those who spent all or part of the caregiving service costs was 9%, and for primary caregivers, it was 26%. The average monthly amount was 623,000 KRW, with 47% spending less than 300,000 KRW, 22.5% spending between 300,000 and 500,000 KRW. Those spending between 500,000 and 1,000,000 KRW accounted for 16.5%, and 14% spent more than 1,000,000 KRW.

Regarding necessary welfare services, livelihood support was the highest at 75.6%. Medical support was needed by 74.0%, and rest support by 71.4%. However, among primary caregivers, 76.8% responded that psychological support was necessary.

The average weekly caregiving time was 21.6 hours. The proportion of those burdened with caregiving for more than 15 hours per week was 39%. The desired weekly caregiving time was 14.3 hours, showing a difference of over 7 hours compared to the actual time. The average caregiving period was 46.1 months, with more than half caring for a sick family member for over two years. Among care recipients, 39.1% had severe illnesses, 25.5% were disabled, and 22.0% were classified under long-term care recognition grades. Patients with dementia accounted for 21.7%.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to reflect the results of this survey to alleviate the burden on young caregivers and establish systematic support measures for daily life recovery. Schools, hospitals, and local governments will provide training to personnel responsible for identifying young caregivers and designate welfare officers for youth to build a one-stop welfare system. By the second half of this year, they plan to promote customized social service support projects including caregiving, psychological and emotional support, and rest.

© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.