Suicide prevention measures for care and nursing burdens reported — in-home elderly care services from 30 to 60 types, Youth Future Centers expanded nationwide in September
Source material is a Korean government announcement (in Korean).
Under the measures the government reported at the Cabinet meeting on August 11, 2026, Youth Future Centers will be expanded nationwide from September, in-home elderly care services will increase from the current 30 types to 60 types, and the out-of-pocket burden for nursing care costs at long-term care hospitals will be eased from the first half of next year.
Key facts
| When reported | Cabinet meeting on August 11, 2026 (2 sets of measures prepared jointly by relevant ministries) |
|---|---|
| Youth Future Centers | Expanded nationwide from September 2026 (tailored programs for isolated and reclusive young people) |
| In-home elderly care services | Current 30 types → 60 types (introducing home rehabilitation, nutrition guidance, hospital accompaniment and more) |
| Nursing care costs and living support | From the first half of next year, easing of out-of-pocket nursing care costs at long-term care hospitals and an increase in emergency welfare living support payments |
| Identifying high-risk households | From the second half of this year, social security data will be used to intensively identify and survey high-risk households caring for people with severe dementia, developmental disabilities and similar conditions |
| Connections after identification | Priority connection to 72-hour emergency care and specialist counseling at mental health welfare centers, with integrated case management for families facing compound crises |
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The Ministry of Health and Welfare reported the 'suicide prevention measures for isolated and at-risk households' and the 'suicide prevention measures for care and nursing burdens,' prepared jointly by relevant ministries, at the Cabinet meeting on August 11, 2026. From September, 'Youth Future Centers (청년미래센터)' supporting isolated and reclusive young people will be expanded nationwide, in-home elderly care services will be increased from the current 30 types to 60 types, and from the first half of next year the out-of-pocket burden for nursing care costs at long-term care hospitals will be eased. From the second half of this year, social security data will be used to intensively identify and survey high-risk households whose burden is especially heavy among families caring for people with severe dementia or developmental disabilities, and identified households will be given priority connection to 72-hour emergency care and specialist counseling at mental health welfare centers.
Background — why this change
These measures are a follow-up to the 'suicide prevention measures in 9 areas' discussed at the Cabinet meeting last May, and were prepared to prevent social isolation and family care burdens arising from factors such as population aging and the increase in single-person households from leading to suicide risk. The government is pursuing a 70% support rate for welfare blind spots and a social isolation level of 27%, and by December it will link financial crisis information such as excessive debt and damage from illegal private lending into the welfare blind spot identification system. If a report through the welfare crisis alert app contains expressions related to suicide, 24-hour emergency counseling is provided; from next year a national suicide response office will be operated, and the First Vice Minister (제1차관) of Health and Welfare will be designated as the vice minister in charge of responding to social isolation. Inquiries: Ministry of Health and Welfare, Regional Welfare Division (044-202-3124), Population Policy General Division (044-202-3363).
Summaries below are factual notes based on government announcements and primary sources — not evaluations or opinions.
FAQ
How do in-home elderly care services change?
Home visit care for long-term care recipients with severe conditions or dementia will be expanded and home rehabilitation, nutrition guidance and hospital accompaniment will be introduced, increasing the services from the current 30 types to 60 types.
Where can isolated and reclusive young people receive support?
Youth Future Centers, which provide tailored programs, will be expanded nationwide from September.
When will the nursing care cost burden be reduced?
From the first half of next year, the plan is to ease the out-of-pocket burden for nursing care costs at long-term care hospitals and to raise emergency welfare living support payments.
How will high-risk care households be found?
From the second half of this year, social security data will be used to intensively identify and survey households whose burden is especially heavy among families caring for people with severe dementia or developmental disabilities, and the family's care environment will be surveyed together from the point of application for long-term care or disability registration.