A Home in Old Age That Resembles Its Owner's Face

Is there anyone in old age who would not want to face their final moments in a familiar home, touched by their own hands?

Though the reasons may vary greatly,

it is a common happiness that people wish to enjoy in the last moments of life.

Most people call it a "good death" when, at the time they can reflect on their profound lives,

they pass away in their own home, in front of their family.

'Good death' is, however, a term for the living.

According to the "2023 Survey on the Status of the Elderly" announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare last October,

9 out of 10 seniors wanted to stay in the homes where they had been living,

as long as they could maintain their health.

Even if their health declined,

5 out of 10 still wished

to continue living in their own homes.

Rather than living in a facility where you must eat even if you are not hungry,

lie down even if you are not sleepy,

and can only go outside if someone opens the door for you,

they believe, "Even if I am sick, my home is the best."

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81-year-old grandmother Kyungja Lee is knitting at her home in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. Although she has difficulty walking due to leg paralysis, she enjoys a happy retirement by interacting with neighborhood friends through the qigong exercise class operated by the welfare center.

Grandfather Jung Hakyoung (78) and Grandmother Kim Sunam (76) are posing for the camera at their home in Jincheon-gun, Chungbuk. Grandfather Jung Hakyoung, who has physical difficulties, and Grandmother Kim Sunam, who is suffering from blood cancer, want to spend their old age at home. The two-story house located on the slopes of Janggun Mountain in Jincheon, where the couple Jung Hakyoung and Kim Sunam live, was built by Grandfather Jung himself on his own land.

Lee Jeongsook (92) grandmother is standing next to the living room air conditioner installed by her son at her home in Jincheon-gun, Chungbuk, posing for the camera. The grandmother underwent rib surgery at a local hospital and is living while receiving post-discharge care services operated by the county office.

Yeongim Bae (75) is receiving home oral health care at her residence in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City. The grandmother, who suffered a stroke 10 years ago and has paralysis on one side of her body, moved to live near her siblings' houses with the help of her younger sister.

Choi Sunrae (89) grandmother is posing for the camera in a small one-room house in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. The grandmother's house is not the home where she lived with her family. However, neighborhood friends who have shared affection like family for over 10 years, along with health care leaders who care for residents, visit her home every day to spend time together.

89-year-old grandfather Ahn Youngil is painting at his home in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City. His wife, who had been with him all his life, suffered from dementia for 20 years and passed away three years ago. Except for the brief period when his wife was hospitalized in a nursing hospital, he took care of her alone at home. Currently, suffering from scoliosis and having difficulty moving, he hopes to spend his remaining years at home rather than in a nursing home.

80-year-old grandfather Yongan Kim is waiting for visiting medical staff at his home in Daedeok-gu, Daejeon. The grandfather, who has difficulty moving, manages his health by eating with the help of a caregiver and using paid visiting medical services.

Lee Soja (75) grandmother is living at her home in Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, taking care of her husband. Although she has received a long-term care grade, she does not want to live in a care facility.

Grandmother Min Sunduk (76) and Grandmother Hwang Jungyu (76) are sharing a conversation after finishing lunch together at the Namseong Apartment senior center in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, then moving to Grandmother Hwang Jungyu's home. Having lived in the apartment for 41 years since purchasing it, the grandmothers spend their days at the senior center with neighborhood friends, preparing lunch five days a week using ingredients provided by the district office, drinking tea, and enjoying a fulfilling and social elderly life.

Grandfather Yoon Sugeun (83) and Grandmother Bang Heeyeon (81) are posing for the camera after completing the installation of a safety puzzle mat in the living room of their home in Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. The grandfather, who bought the apartment 21 years ago and had lived without major illnesses, became mobility-impaired two years ago after breaking his hip. Although he was assessed for long-term care, he did not want to leave the home filled with memories with his family, so they decided to remodel the house with government support.

Grandfather Younggeun Noh (66) and Grandmother Youngrae Joo (65) are posing for the camera at their home in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. When they moved into a 43-pyeong apartment 20 years ago, it was not a problem as their children were growing up, but after their children left home, they started to worry about spending their old age in a smaller house.

81-year-old grandmother Kyungja Lee is knitting at her home in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. Although she has difficulty walking due to leg paralysis, she enjoys a happy retirement by interacting with neighborhood friends through the qigong exercise class operated by the welfare center.

The grandmother, who participates in the annual qigong exercise competition, said she feels a sense of accomplishment every time she wins an award. She expressed a strong will to continue living at home, believing that if she were to go to a nursing home, she would not be able to engage in her hobby, which is a vital source of energy in her life.

Grandfather Jung Hakyoung (78) and Grandmother Kim Sunam (76) are posing for the camera at their home in Jincheon-gun, Chungbuk. Grandfather Jung Hakyoung, who has physical difficulties, and Grandmother Kim Sunam, who is suffering from blood cancer, want to spend their old age at home. The two-story house located on the slopes of Janggun Mountain in Jincheon, where the couple Jung Hakyoung and Kim Sunam live, was built by Grandfather Jung himself on his own land.

Perhaps because of this, they have a special attachment to their home. Through the care station operated by the county office, they receive medical treatment and rehabilitation at home, strengthening their desire to spend their old age at home.

Lee Jeongsook (92) grandmother is standing next to the living room air conditioner installed by her son at her home in Jincheon-gun, Chungbuk, posing for the camera. The grandmother underwent rib surgery at a local hospital and is living while receiving post-discharge care services operated by the county office.

She said that living alone is inconvenient, but she does not want to leave the house where she spent time with her family to spend her old age.

Yeongim Bae (75) is receiving home oral health care at her residence in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City. The grandmother, who suffered a stroke 10 years ago and has paralysis on one side of her body, moved to live near her siblings' houses with the help of her younger sister.

Although her body is uncomfortable, her younger brother and sister visit her every day to share meals and exercise together. Despite her physical difficulties, the grandmother expressed that she wants to spend the rest of her life at home with her family rather than in a nursing home.

Choi Sunrae (89) grandmother is posing for the camera in a small one-room house in Bucheon, Gyeonggi Province. The grandmother's house is not the home where she lived with her family. However, neighborhood friends who have shared affection like family for over 10 years, along with health care leaders who care for residents, visit her home every day to spend time together.

The grandmother hopes to spend the rest of her life in her home, which serves as a community gathering place in the neighborhood.

89-year-old grandfather Ahn Youngil is painting at his home in Buk-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City. His wife, who had been with him all his life, suffered from dementia for 20 years and passed away three years ago. Except for the brief period when his wife was hospitalized in a nursing hospital, he took care of her alone at home. Currently, suffering from scoliosis and having difficulty moving, he hopes to spend his remaining years at home rather than in a nursing home.

Traces of living with his wife remain in the house, and for the grandfather, who continues his work with excellent painting skills, the home is the best place to spend his remaining years.

80-year-old grandfather Yongan Kim is waiting for visiting medical staff at his home in Daedeok-gu, Daejeon. The grandfather, who has difficulty moving, manages his health by eating with the help of a caregiver and using paid visiting medical services.

Although he does not have many friends in the neighborhood, he hopes to spend his remaining years quietly at home rather than living with strangers in a care facility.

Lee Soja (75) grandmother is living at her home in Daedeok-gu, Daejeon, taking care of her husband. Although she has received a long-term care grade, she does not want to live in a care facility.

If she enters a care facility, she will not be able to take care of her husband who is suffering from dementia herself. Although taking care of her husband is a bit difficult, she hopes to spend the rest of her life at home with her husband, with whom she has spent her whole life.

Grandmother Min Sunduk (76) and Grandmother Hwang Jungyu (76) are sharing a conversation after finishing lunch together at the Namseong Apartment senior center in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, then moving to Grandmother Hwang Jungyu's home. Having lived in the apartment for 41 years since purchasing it, the grandmothers spend their days at the senior center with neighborhood friends, preparing lunch five days a week using ingredients provided by the district office, drinking tea, and enjoying a fulfilling and social elderly life.

Recently, the apartment has completed the selection of a reconstruction contractor and is awaiting relocation orders. Grandmother Hwang expressed that she wants to continue living in the home where she has shared long-standing friendships until she has to move.

Grandfather Yoon Sugeun (83) and Grandmother Bang Heeyeon (81) are posing for the camera after completing the installation of a safety puzzle mat in the living room of their home in Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul. The grandfather, who bought the apartment 21 years ago and had lived without major illnesses, became mobility-impaired two years ago after breaking his hip. Although he was assessed for long-term care, he did not want to leave the home filled with memories with his family, so they decided to remodel the house with government support.

The grandfather received 1 million won in government support and paid the remaining amount out of pocket to install safety mats in the living room and safety grab bars throughout the house, creating an environment where he can live safely at home.

Grandfather Younggeun Noh (66) and Grandmother Youngrae Joo (65) are posing for the camera at their home in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. When they moved into a 43-pyeong apartment 20 years ago, it was not a problem as their children were growing up, but after their children left home, they started to worry about spending their old age in a smaller house.

However, they expressed a desire to spend their old age in their current home as they take care of their working eldest daughter's granddaughter and often have their children visit and spend time together. They are considering securing funds for their retirement living expenses through a housing pension rather than downsizing their home.