Chapter 1: Understanding Long-term Care Recipients

◆ Compensation for the Elderly

Economic Compensation: Reduced fees for transportation facilities, parks, museums, etc.
Institutional Compensation: National Pension, National Health Insurance, etc.
Political Compensation: Designated as Parents' Day (May 8), Senior Citizens' Day (October 2) for commemoration

Chapter 2: Characteristics of Old Age

◆ Physical Characteristics of Old Age

Cellular Aging: Bones and muscles atrophy, leading to a hunched back, reduced height, decreased subcutaneous fat resulting in overall thinness and increased wrinkles, reduced basal metabolic rate
Decline in Immune Function: Latent diseases may manifest or existing conditions can rapidly worsen, potentially leading to death.

◆ Physical Characteristics of Old Age

Decline in Residual Capacity (Decline in Daily Living Performance): Residual capacity of body tissues decreases, adaptability declines, potentially causing difficulties in daily life
Decline in Recovery Ability: Elderly individuals with chronic diseases are prone to complications, which can escalate to severe conditions from minor causes.

◆ Physical Characteristics of Old Age

Irreversible Progression: Aging is a gradual, progressive process that cannot be halted by human effort.

◆ Psychological Characteristics of Old Age

Increased Tendency Toward Depression: Complaints of physical symptoms such as insomnia, loss of appetite, weight loss; memory decline; loss of interest and motivation.
Increased Introversion: Reduced social activities, avoidance of meeting others, introverted personality
Increased Caution: With age, hesitation or inability to answer questions, sometimes maintaining neutrality; diminished confidence, slower decisions or actions, cautious in all matters
Increased Rigidity: Adherence to habitual attitudes, lack of flexibility, dislike of change, avoidance of challenging tasks, resistance to new work methods
Tendency to Reflect on Life: Resolution of pent-up emotions, becoming calm toward failures and frustrations.

Attachment to Familiar Objects

Tendency to Leave a Legacy: Desire to leave traces of one's presence in this world for future generations; seeking recognition of having lived a valuable life.
Increased Dependency: Becoming economically dependent due to loss of roles.

◆ Social Characteristics of Old Age

Role Loss: Retirement leads to loss of social roles as well as roles as head of household and mother within the family, resulting in psychological withdrawal.
Economic Poverty

⇒ Loss of Bonds: Bonds diminish or disappear.

⇒ Withdrawal of Social Relationships: Social relationships decrease upon retirement from work.

Section 3: Changes in Family Relationships and Elderly Support

◆ Changes in Family Relationships

Parent-Child Relationship: Empty Nest Syndrome - Refers to the sadness, loneliness, and sense of loss experienced by parents after children become independent and leave home.
Modified Extended Family: A family form where married children live near elderly parents and provide care.

※ When family form questions appear, the answer is almost always Modified Extended Family

◆ Solutions for Elderly Support (Changes in Family Relationships in Modern Society)

Both public and private support are necessary for elderly care

⇒ Public: Support from the state and society e.g. Elderly Welfare Services, Long-term Care Insurance System

⇒ Private: Support provided by the elderly individual or family

Strengthen state-led elderly welfare policies: National Pension, Basic Pension, Long-term Care Insurance System, etc. ( Increased proportion of public support )

Chapter 4: Recipient-Centered Long-term Care

◆ Four Principles of Long-term Care Practice

Face-to-Face: Make eye contact and greet or speak within 2 seconds.
Speaking:

⇒ If the recipient is dozing or not fully awake, knock on the bed board; if no response, wait about 3 seconds and knock again to wake them before speaking.

⇒ Speak even to recipients who say nothing.

⇒ Always use positive sentences.

⇒ After saying something, wait at least 3 seconds or more.

Touching: Touch with a wide area of skin contact with the recipient.

Helping to Stand:

⇒ Help them stand or walk for at least 20 minutes a day intentionally.

⇒ Even if slow, avoid supporting and encourage independent movement as much as possible.

Part I: Long-term Care Protection and Human Rights