Market reference note: This article covers information from both Korea and the United States. Each section is marked with 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. to indicate which country's standards apply.
Deciding to place a parent in a nursing facility is never easy for any family. Yet in both Korea and the United States, there are programs that allow older adults to receive medical care, long-term care, and daily support all while continuing to live in their own homes — no facility required. The two countries take different approaches, but share the same core philosophy: the place a person already calls home is the best starting point for care.
🇰🇷 Korea Based on the 돌봄통합지원법 (Integrated Care Support Act) enacted in March 2024, the Ministry of Health and Welfare (보건복지부) launched the full nationwide implementation of community-integrated care (지역사회 통합돌봄) across all 229 시·군·구 (cities, counties, and districts) on March 27, 2026. The 2026 budget grew approximately 13-fold compared to the previous year, rising from 7.1 billion won to 91.4 billion won, and 5,346 dedicated staff members have been placed across metropolitan and provincial offices, cities and counties, townships and villages, and public health centers to handle everything from identifying those in need to linking services and monitoring progress. The program prioritizes connecting people to 30 services across 4 categories — healthcare, health management, long-term care, and daily living support — with plans to expand to 60 services by 2030.
🇰🇷 Korea During Phase 1 (2026–2027), priority support targets include adults aged 65 and older who have difficulty with daily life due to frailty or illness, older adults with disabilities, people with severe disabilities who have high medical needs, and patients who face a care gap immediately after hospital discharge. Importantly, there is no income requirement. Even without a long-term care grade, anyone who meets the 'care needs' criteria may apply. As of the 100-day mark after implementation, adults aged 65 and older accounted for 98.7% of all applicants, and 37,304 people whose assessments had been completed were connected to customized services.
🇰🇷 Korea The application process is straightforward. You can submit an application in person, by mail, or by fax at the 읍·면·동 행정복지센터 (township or village administrative welfare center) at your registered address, or at a branch of the 국민건강보험공단 (National Health Insurance Service). Not only the person in need, but also family members, relatives, and legal guardians may apply; a medical institution staff member who has obtained the person's consent may also apply on their behalf. After submission, a caseworker visits the home to conduct a comprehensive assessment of health, mobility, cognition, and living environment. A 통합지원회의 (integrated support council) then develops a personalized support plan and connects the individual to services. For health and welfare inquiries, you can contact 129 (no area code needed).
🇺🇸 U.S. In the United States, PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly), which began in San Francisco in 1983, is the leading model embodying the same philosophy. As of July 2026, 201 programs are operating across 33 states and Washington, D.C., serving approximately 94,500 participants. 94% of PACE participants continue to live in the community rather than in a nursing facility, and participants' hospitalization rates are reported to be 24% lower than those of general long-term care recipients.
🇺🇸 U.S. There are four eligibility requirements for PACE. A person must be at least 55 years old, must be certified by the state as needing nursing home-level care, must live within a PACE service area, and must be able to live safely in the community with PACE support. For those covered by Medicare and Medicaid, insurance covers the cost; otherwise, participants pay a monthly premium out of pocket. There is, however, no income or asset requirement for enrollment itself. To enroll, search for the nearest program on the National PACE Association website (npaonline.org) and contact them directly to request an assessment.
🇺🇸 U.S. There is also one practical limitation worth noting. According to U.S. research, 67% of adults aged 55 and older with complex care needs are unable to access PACE due to geographic, financial, or systemic barriers, and 96% of the 12 million people aged 55 and older who need long-term care services remain outside the reach of PACE. To address this, a joint introduction of the 'PACE Access Improvement Act' is being pursued as of August 2026. For Korean-American caregivers living in the United States, the first step is to check whether a PACE program operates in your area.
Sources: Ministry of Health and Welfare Community-Integrated Care official website (mohw.go.kr/integratedcare); Kyunghyang Shinmun (경향신문), March 5, 2026; Cookie News (쿠키뉴스), July 2, 2026, reporting on 100 days of integrated care; The Medical (더메디컬), reporting on local government preparation; National PACE Association (npaonline.org), July 2026 status data; AAHD PACE Access Improvement Act Issue Brief (August 2026); Myers & Stauffer PACE fall prevention report; 42 CFR §460.150 (federal regulations on PACE enrollment eligibility).
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.