Health and Functional Status of the Older Koreans

Abstract

With Korea nearing the point where seniors aged 65 and older comprise over 20 percent of its population, the health of older adults and the care services they receive have significant implications not only for their quality of life but also for family caregivers, employment, industry, caregiving technologies, and national expenditures. Using data from the National Survey of Older Koreans 2023, this article examines the health status of older adults and the state of eldercare and discusses their implications for policy. This study explores older adults’ subjective health levels, medically-determined health status, mental and cognitive health, and physical functioning. The analysis also identifies areas of healthcare and caregiving that older persons wish to see improved. Based on the findings, this article recommends improving health promotion and frailty management, diversifying caregiving services, and strengthening societal caregiving capacity to encourage self-management among older adults.