고령자의 사회적 자립을 위한 사회 참여형 서비스 디자인 개발 방향

Abstract

The elderly establish their self-identity and gain satisfaction through various social activities in their later years. Therefore, their social self-reliance is fundamental in solving social and economical problems attributed to aging. In this paper, the elders are considered to be producers in cultural and political areas as well as members of our society, rather than as a group that has physical and emotional defects. Thus, this paper analyzed some factors that impede the social self-reliance of the elderly according to results of user interviews. These factors were categorized according to three main causes: ‘emotional changes,’ ‘restriction of life environment’ and ‘disconnection from social culture’ in terms of their respective residential environment and social areas. In terms of elders' ‘emotional changes,’ difficulties with social self-reliance should be improved by relieving their anxiety about their income in later years and managing mental health to prevent psychological shrinkage. For ‘restriction of life environment’, the factors that could threaten elders' physical health, activities related to their food, clothing, and shelter should be explored and understood. Also, the elders' self-reliance should be increased through improvement of service, daily supplies, and residential environment for elders. Finally, ‘disconnection from social culture’ could be solved by improving accessibility of information related to welfare policy, education and jobs. Provision of free time or cultural services suitable for them can guarantee extensive social interchanges that will benefit the elderly.