Carson A. A Pressure Release Valve: South Korean Long-Term Care Policy as Supplemental to Family Elder Care.
J Aging Soc Policy 2023;
35:756-779. [PMID:
36242768 DOI:
10.1080/08959420.2022.2133318]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
South Korea's National Long-term Care Insurance (NLTCI) has received international acclaim for its universal continuum-of-care model. Based on 25 qualitative interviews with family caregivers, this research explores the relationship between NLTCI policies and experiences of family caregiving for older people. Caregivers who share care responsibilities or are supported by other family are coping well with minor to moderate policy recommendations. Lone caregivers without support from other family are struggling and express desire for expanded services. These findings highlight a need for more consideration of the influence of family dynamics on informal caregiver burdens. Despite many strengths, NLTCI policy functions as a pressure release valve, supplementing family care for seniors - not replacing it - with minimal gender equity contributions.
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