Home-visit medical care expands
Regular doctor and nurse home visits for seniors with limited mobility expand to every city, county, and district nationwide.
Effective · March 2026
How Elder Care in Korea Changes in 2026
Medical care, long-term care, and daily-living support come together under the Integrated Care Support Act (돌봄통합지원법), taking effect in March 2026. Here are the changes every family caregiver should know — on one page.
Fragmented services today
30services
through Feb 2026
New integrated services
0services +
Effective March 2026
MEDICAL
Medical-Care Coordination
Services that connect hospitals and home care — from post-discharge recovery to chronic condition management.
Integrated recovery support after discharge
At hospital discharge, the local Integrated Care Support Center is connected automatically, matching in-home recovery, rehabilitation, and nursing in one step.
Effective · March 2026
Integrated care plans for chronic conditions
For chronic conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure, a doctor, pharmacist, and certified care worker create a shared care plan together.
Effective · March 2026
LONG-TERM CARE
Long-Term Care Services
Hands-on care based on long-term care grade — adult day/night care, short-term respite stays, and facility placement.
Day and night care with extended hours
Adult day/night care centers — including weekend and overnight operation — will be established in every city, county, and district, at least one per area.
Effective · March 2026
Respite care becomes an official service
Short-term respite care — a safe short stay for your parent while the family caregiver travels, rests, or receives treatment — joins the official service list.
Effective · March 2026
New care tier beyond existing grades
Seniors with milder needs who didn't qualify for a long-term care insurance grade can now receive selected services under a new care tier.
Effective · March 2026
DAILY LIVING
Daily Living Support
Housekeeping, transportation, meals, counseling — everyday support that lightens the family caregiver's load.
Bundled housekeeping, transport, and meal support
Previously fragmented housekeeping, transportation, and meal services are combined into one package, making them simpler to apply for and use.
Effective · March 2026
Counseling vouchers for family caregivers
Primary family caregivers newly receive vouchers for up to 12 counseling sessions per year, remote or in person.
Effective · March 2026
Emergency safety package for seniors living alone
A new package bundles an emergency call service with regular well-being check-ins for seniors who live alone.
Effective · March 2026
DIGITAL CARE
Digital Care
Newly covered digital services — IoT sensors, remote monitoring, and AI well-being check-in calls.
AI well-being check-in calls introduced
Automated voice calls that check in on your parent one to three times a week become an official covered service.
Effective · March 2026
IoT activity and medication monitoring
Real-time monitoring through motion, medication, and meal sensors is provided according to care grade.
Effective · March 2026
Telehealth visits officially recognized
Video medical visits and consultations for seniors with limited mobility join the official service list.
Effective · March 2026
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Applications are consolidated into a single window: the Integrated Care Support Center (통합돌봄지원센터) of the city, county, or district where your parent lives. The previously scattered counters — public health centers, welfare centers, and long-term care insurance offices — are unified, so every service can be requested in one place. Applications by phone or online are also accepted.
FOR YOUR FAMILYThe right services for your parents —
The right services for your parents —
let's find them together.
As the new policy takes effect, a Care Advisor will guide you one-on-one through which services to apply for first, and how. It works the same for families in the U.S. arranging care for loved ones in Korea.
This page is general information to help family caregivers understand the changes. For specific eligibility, costs, and application procedures, please check with the Integrated Care Support Center in your parent's area, or call Korea's Health & Welfare call center at 129.