Emergency fast-track added to customized care for older adults on July 27 — care within 3–7 days of applying
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
From the 27th of this month, an emergency support procedure is added to the post-discharge short-term intensive service of Customized Care for Older Adults, so eligible older adults who apply at an eup/myeon/dong community service center within 14 days of discharge can receive services within 3–7 days.
Key facts
| Effective date | July 27, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | People aged 65 or older who are National Basic Livelihood Security recipients, in the near-poverty bracket, or basic pension recipients living alone or as older couples — those eligible for Customized Care for Older Adults |
| Application deadline | Within 14 days of discharge |
| Where to apply | Eup, myeon and dong community service centers nationwide |
| Service start | Support within 3–7 days of applying, after a verification procedure |
| Longer-term support | If complex care is needed or support is required for more than 1 month, the case is connected to the integrated care system through the implementing agency |
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Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that from the 27th of this month it will add and operate an "emergency support procedure" within the post-discharge short-term intensive service of the Customized Care for Older Adults (노인맞춤돌봄) program, to reduce gaps in care right after hospital discharge and support a stable return to the community. Under the existing procedure, it could take more than 1 month from application to eligibility determination and service delivery, and field feedback had raised concerns that a care gap could occur immediately after discharge. In response, where urgent care is needed, services can now be provided within 3–7 days of applying through a simplified verification procedure, even before selection for integrated care. People aged 65 or older who are National Basic Livelihood Security recipients, in the near-poverty (next-lowest income) bracket, or basic pension recipients living alone or as older couples — that is, those eligible for Customized Care for Older Adults — can apply at any eup, myeon or dong community service center nationwide within 14 days of discharge. If complex care is required during emergency support, or support is needed for more than 1 month, the case is connected to the integrated care system through the implementing agency.
Background — why this change
In line with the rollout of integrated medical and long-term care, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has operated the Customized Care for Older Adults post-discharge short-term intensive service since March this year to support older adults who need care after discharge in recovering their daily routines; as of the 17th, 1392 people had used the service. Depending on local conditions, care staffing will be operated flexibly — for example by hiring part-time short-term or dedicated staff, or by using overtime work by existing life support workers.
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
Who can apply?
People aged 65 or older who are National Basic Livelihood Security recipients, in the near-poverty bracket, or basic pension recipients living alone or as older couples — those eligible for Customized Care for Older Adults — can apply.
By when do I need to apply?
You can apply at an eup, myeon or dong community service center nationwide within 14 days of discharge.
How quickly does the service start?
After a verification procedure, you can receive support within 3–7 days of applying.