"Providing Lifelong Care at Home"... Hwasun-type Integrated Care System Officially Launched

Strengthening Integration of Medical, Nursing, and Welfare Services
Launching a Community-Based, Comprehensive Care System for an Aging Society

Integrated Care Discharged Patient Referral Agreement Ceremony. Provided by Hwasun County

Hwasun County in South Jeolla Province is set to officially launch the "Hwasun-type Integrated Care" system, which unifies medical, nursing, and welfare services. Amid a surge in demand for complex care due to population aging, this community-based care model allows elderly residents to continue their later years in their familiar surroundings, rather than in hospitals or facilities.

On March 26, Hwasun County announced the establishment of its integrated care system and stated that related services will be fully implemented starting from March 27. This is a proactive regional adaptation in anticipation of the nationwide medical and nursing integrated care policy set to be rolled out across South Korea in 2026.

To lay the groundwork for the system, the county created a dedicated Integrated Care Division and enacted relevant ordinances in September of last year. Additionally, a cooperative framework was established linking public health centers, towns and villages, the National Health Insurance Service, and private service providers, creating an organic system that connects everything from identifying eligible recipients to delivering services. The program targets county residents in need of care, including seniors aged 65 and older and persons with severe disabilities.

Since its pilot operation began in January 2026, 49 individuals have received a total of 164 services, and user satisfaction has been reported as high.

Building on this, starting March 27, the county plans to expand lifestyle-focused services such as home support, hospital accompaniment, home bathing, nutrition meal boxes, personal grooming, and improvements to living environments.

Public-private cooperation has also been strengthened. Hwasun County has entered agreements with seven medical institutions, including local nursing hospitals and acute care hospitals, to support the smooth return of discharged patients to their communities. The county is also expanding home-based medical services in partnership with Korean medicine clinics. This has been recognized for establishing a seamless "treatment-nursing-daily care" continuum.

Integrated care for people with disabilities is being pursued concurrently. The county has completed a comprehensive survey of 198 residents with severe disabilities under 65 years old and is currently providing home visits, mental health services, and improvements to living conditions for some recipients. Moving forward, the county plans to bolster partnerships with medical institutions to further expand customized support.

The "Our Neighborhood Care Coordinator" initiative, a field-oriented policy, is also drawing attention. Operating at the village level, these coordinators directly identify inconveniences in the daily lives of seniors and connect them with needed services, helping to address welfare blind spots.

Going forward, Hwasun County aims to complete a "community-based, lifelong care system" through expanding eligibility, strengthening service quality management, and advancing home-based medical care.

Yang Bonam, head of the Integrated Care Division, stated, "Integrated care is more than just welfare—it is a core policy that determines the quality of life for our residents. We will continue to build a dense care network so that everyone can live a healthy life in their own home."

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