Korean officials visit UK to find out how older people care for fellow elderly

A home care provider where older people help care for their fellow elderly, recently received a visit from a group of Korean government officials, due to its success in caring for the elderly as well as empowering those giving the care.

The government delegates from the Bupyeong Provence of South Korea visited Seniors Helping Seniors in Kent.

Sally Wilse, one of the founders of Seniors Helping Seniors, which has five offices in the UK, said: “Like the UK, Bupyeong has an army of older people who are lonely and under-utilised because family has moved away.

“We explained to the delegates how to manage the delicate balance of offering the work flexibility older people want, pay above the Living Wage in a sustainable way, for the benefit of clients and families who need help with older relatives.”

Seniors Helping Seniors (UK) claim to solve two of the biggest social problems in the UK - elderly care and employment opportunities for people as they age. Their oldest caregiver is 83 but the average age is 65-75. They are usually semi-retired or have taken early retirement.

Managing director, Christian Wilse, says: “We don’t do personal care, so the job does not involve lifting, bathing, dressing, etc.”

Duties include preparing meals, companionship, pet care, shopping, helping with visits to the doctor, gardening, dementia care and overnight stays.

“Our model gives both the giver and receiver of care a boost, reduces loneliness, and reduces the strain on the national health service in the UK - it’s a win, win for all involved,” he added.

Around 14 per cent of the Bupyeong population is aged 65 and over. The district’s only solution currently is nursing homes and they came to find out how Seniors Helping Seniors looks after people in their own homes instead. As a local government department, their aim was to find a ‘good model to consider implementing in their area’.

Sally Wilse said: “People also need and want to work longer in Korea, and we explained to the delegates how flexible well-paid local work that values the experience of older people is reinventing retirement by keeping people financially independent, happy and well with a real sense of purpose.”

Christian Wilse, managing director of Seniors Helping Seniors UK added: “I applaud them for working to get ahead of the curve. When you run a business that impacts as many lives as ours does, it’s important to share experience. The delegation invested in this trip and it was great they singled us out and our pleasure to welcome them.

“We are living proof that seniors who, after retirement, have an active role in the community can share their valuable knowledge whilst earning an income.”

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