Effectiveness Evaluation of Long-Term Care Service for the Elderly through the Diffusion of Market Principle

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze changes and effects of long-term care for the elderly through the diffusion of market principle in Korea. This study analyzed the change of long-term care for the elderly on the three dimensions (finance, service provision, regulation) and it tried to estimate the effect of the universality in the service provision, quality of the service, equity, and the right of consumer choice. The findings are as follows: long-term care service for the elderly has been changed into pluralistic service provision and the regulations have been relaxed with a view to increasing service provision. The effects of the diffusion of market principle on long-term care service include the following. First, service provision was various because of pluralistic approach concerned about delivery system. The quality of service improved gradually. Equity of the service appeared that the imbalance is intensified and the right of consumer choice was assessed partly positive. To solve the equity problem and enhance the quality of service, further regulations are needed to control services.