Many policies and plans have been rush to mitigate the aging, one of the most social problems from central or local governments as Korea is one of the most fast aging nation in the world. This is more true and serious to Busan as she is the fastest region in the country.
Regardless of these abundant plans and programs, people' reaction and satisfaction level is still not very high.
Busan announced such as 'Health City Friendly Plan, ‘Aging Friendly Plan’ with some others but no exception to other cities
This study and report; ‘Infrastructure Utilizing Plan for Seniors to be the Health Friendly Busan Metropolitan City’ pertains;
1) Pre study and literature review in conjunction with the related topic
2) Overseas organization, case review regarding the study topic
3) Domestic organization, case review regarding the study topic
4) Quantitative research targeting over 60years among Busan residents
5) In-depth interview with frequent subway pasangers over 60 years
6) In-depth intervew with 4 related organizations experts
7) 2 workshops with topic incumbents
Base on these research, the highlights of this report contains;
Silver age could be divided into two groups: the one who is more dependent and reliable, the other group is more active, social and independent.
Policies and plans are far behind, to catch up the fastly increasing number of seniors. This report suggest so called the (tentatively)’ Silver Rounge’ to target the second active group
The main users of Silver Rounge is the active and often subway using seniors, Silver Rounge provides some sense of social belongings, participation, gatering, connected feeling with healthy information, working (or job) related data, information, and so on.
It's a kind of senior cultural complex
The senior targeted quantitative research revealed that they have very high concerns about health and expectation of working, that is, more information about health and economy activity required. In-depth interview with seniors regarding job, education, social participation and communication with information of which found very low proved on the pre study, reconfirmed. on our qualitative research.
Experts interview with Busan City, Busan Transportation Corporation, Busan Tourism Organization and Busan Medical Authority assured and elaborated, our design about the Silver Rounge in many aspects too though left some incumbent and financing issues. This report excludes the detailed financial estimate as the boundary of this study remains within the suggestion level. The location of the Silver Rounge would be Busan Station, NampoDong, Seomyun, Sasang and Dongrae are recommended on a initial level when considering seniors moving, hopitals location and more importantly, demonstration effect for seniors to support their social belonging and connectedness.
The size of the Silver Rounge would, be around 50 m2 with 40 personnel maximum capacity at one time.
Staff are supported from neighboring high school or college students voluntary services, hospitals' social contributional activities by time, day or specialties.
These sort of voluntary participation moght be the due to accelerate and inercase the social capital eventually.