1. Research Objectives and Methods

■ Objectives and Methods

￮ The elderly disabled population (aged 65 and older) accounts for more than half of all individuals with disabilities. This proportion is expected to increase further as population aging accelerates.

￮ Elderly individuals with disabilities face complex and multifaceted needs arising from the combined challenges of aging and disability. Consequently, fragmented, nursing-centered services are insufficient. Instead, there is a growing need for diverse, customized policies that reflect both the type of disability and the degree of aging. These policies should include the provision of stable housing, access to specialized medical and rehabilitation services, employment opportunities and related training tailored to specific disabilities, and mobility support to promote participation in social activities within local communities.

￮ Despite the elderly disabled population’s strong demand for comprehensive and systematic welfare and care policies to address the intertwined challenges of aging and disability, existing policies and institutional frameworks remain limited in their capacity to respond effectively to these complex needs.

￮ This study aims to analyze the various problems arising from aging and disability among elderly individuals with disabilities by utilizing a fact-finding survey and multiple sources of administrative data. Based on the findings, the study seeks to propose practical policy tasks by identifying the everyday challenges experienced by elderly individuals with disabilities in the region.

￮ To achieve this, the study uses raw data from the 2023 National Survey of Persons with Disabilities conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to assess the living conditions and welfare needs of elderly individuals with disabilities. The analysis focuses on individuals aged 55 and older residing in Jeonbuk State and examines their overall circumstances, including income, care needs, housing conditions, health status, and employment.

￮ In addition, the study reviews various administrative and policy resources to analyze existing policies for elderly individuals with disabilities in the region. It also examines policy cases from other cities and provinces and evaluates their applicability to Jeonbuk State. Ultimately, the study aims to identify policy directions and specific tasks for strengthening support for elderly individuals with disabilities in Jeonbuk State.

2. Conclusion and Policy Recommendations

￮ Elderly individuals with disabilities face dual challenges associated with both disability and aging. In particular, they tend to experience a faster aging process than nondisabled older adults due to prolonged physical and mental strain. Accordingly, comprehensive support measures are required to safeguard the health rights of elderly individuals with disabilities.

￮ Elderly individuals with disabilities also require integrated support to address the wide range of physical and mental hardships stemming from both disability and age-related health conditions. This need underscores the importance of coordinating and integrating programs implemented by multiple government ministries. 

￮ In response, this study comprehensively assessed the welfare needs of elderly individuals with disabilities in the region and analyzed the scope and types of support policies implemented by central and local governments. Based on this analysis, the study identified the following comprehensive welfare policies necessary to ensure a stable quality of life for elderly individuals with disabilities at the Jeonbuk State level. 

￮ First, elderly individuals with disabilities require policy support tailored to their specific characteristics as they face complex challenges arising from age- and disability-related physical strain and multiple health conditions. In particular, a central policy demand among this population is the establishment of a specialized medical support system to enable a healthy and secure later life.

￮ To this end, community-based, personalized medical support for elderly individuals with disabilities is required, taking into account their physical and mental characteristics.

￮ Moreover, to address the complex welfare needs of elderly individuals with disabilities, it is essential to provide community-based integrated care services and to establish an integrated support delivery system. In alignment with the integrated medical care support project currently being planned at the national level, efforts are needed to foster a regional care support environment that reflects specific characteristics of elderly individuals with disabilities in Jeonbuk State.

￮ Next, to create a safe living environment tailored to the characteristics of different disabilities, it is necessary to expand residential amenities and provide stable housing options for elderly individuals with disabilities. In addition, the development of leisure and cultural programs appropriate for this population, along with the expansion of diverse leisure and cultural activities, is essential for promoting preventive health and encouraging social participation among elderly individuals with disabilities.

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