Market scope note: This article covers information from both Korea and the United States. Each item is labeled 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. in the text to indicate which country it applies to.
When a parent living alone suddenly collapses or a fire breaks out, the fear that comes rushing in is: "What if no one finds them in time?" The farther away you live, and the longer the stretches when you can't reach them, the harder that anxiety is to shake. Both countries operate digital care equipment support programs designed to ease exactly that worry. If you haven't applied yet, now is the time to check.
🇰🇷 Korea The Ministry of Health and Welfare's '독거노인·장애인 응급안전안심서비스' (Emergency Safety Assurance Service for Seniors Living Alone and People with Disabilities) installs IoT devices in the home — including fire detectors, motion sensors, door sensors, and emergency call buttons — and conducts regular welfare check-ins via AI care calls. When an emergency is detected, a 24-hour monitoring center coordinates with 119 for a rapid response. As of November 2026, the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 5th-phase project has officially launched full service, targeting approximately 100,000 households nationwide.
🇰🇷 Korea As of 2025, the service had 265,227 older adult users and 12,734 users with disabilities — increases of 615% and 798%, respectively, compared to 2020. Demand has surged sharply, and as of August 2025, the waiting list had reached 40,661 people. Delaying your application means falling further back in that queue. Starting in 2026, the income requirement for seniors living alone has been completely eliminated, so anyone aged 65 or older who actually lives alone may apply regardless of income. Two-person senior households (where both are 65 or older and at least one has a medical condition, or both are 75 or older) and grandparent-grandchild households are also eligible. Note that Seoul currently operates a separate service for older adults, so it is important to confirm your situation based on your area of residence first.
🇰🇷 Korea Applications can be submitted in person at the 읍·면·동 행정복지센터 (community administrative welfare center, also known as the 주민센터) with jurisdiction over your registered address, or by calling the 보건복지상담센터 (Health and Welfare Counseling Center) at 129 (no area code needed). If the applicant has difficulty getting around, a family member or child may apply on their behalf by bringing a letter of authorization. Application and consent forms are available at the 주민센터. Once the local government approves the application, the regional center will coordinate the equipment installation schedule. Operating procedures vary by region, so it is fastest to call ahead before visiting in person.
🇺🇸 U.S. In the United States, the equivalent program is called PERS (Personal Emergency Response System). With the press of a single button, it connects the user to a 24-hour monitoring center to respond to emergencies such as falls or sudden health events. In recent years, mobile PERS devices with GPS have also become available, allowing use both inside and outside the home. Federal Original Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover PERS as a standard benefit, but as of 2026, some Medicare Advantage plans fully cover PERS for certain plan enrollees.
🇺🇸 U.S. If you are a Medicaid recipient, you may be able to have PERS costs covered through the HCBS (Home and Community-Based Services) 1915(c) Waiver program. According to a recent study, 62.1% of states operating waivers targeting older adults allow smart device benefits under the emergency response equipment category. Whether waiver coverage applies depends on the state you live in, the type of waiver you are enrolled in, and your individual care needs, so you must confirm with your state's Medicaid agency. If you do not qualify for a Medicaid waiver, costs are typically paid out of pocket at around $20 to $50 per month.
In both countries, digital care technology is advancing rapidly — but the benefits of these programs do not automatically reach every household. You cannot receive support without applying, and if waiting lists grow, you will have to wait. The most practical caregiving step you can take today is to check whether your parent's situation meets the eligibility criteria, and then move forward one step at a time.
Sources: Ministry of Health and Welfare, '2026년 독거노인·장애인 응급안전안심서비스 사업안내' (2026 Emergency Safety Assurance Service for Seniors Living Alone and People with Disabilities Program Guide); 메디포뉴스 (report on 응급안전안심서비스 waiting list status, 2025); 아시아투데이 and 테크월드 (reports on KT텔레캅 5th-phase project, 2026); medicalalertreview.com, 'Does Medicaid Cover Medical Alert Systems?' (2026); PMC journal, 'State Variation in Smart Device Eligibility for Aging-in-Place Services' (2026); Independent Health PERS 2026 plan guide.
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.