코로나19 상황하 저소득 독거노인의 생활경험 연구

A Study on the Life Experiences of Low-Income Elderly Living Alone Under the situation of Pandemic COVID-19 disease

This study conducted an in-depth investigation of the life experiences of low-income elderly living alone during the COVID-19 pandemic using qualitative case studies. The participants of this study were six low-income individuals aged over 75 years old, who lived alone. In addition, four employees of social welfare institutions whom the participants frequently encountered were included in the study. The data collected from interviews were analyzed using NVivo12. This study examined participants’ experiences of living alone during the pandemic by analyzing their statements. For instance, some of them said, “We are worried that we might be transmitted with COVID-19, so we cannot even step outside. Staying home all day long causes us to feel suffocating. Most of all, it is becoming more and more difficult to make a living. We are still alive because the welfare center official comes and checks us and the local government provides us with rice. We miss the days when we were able to work and when we had meals at the welfare center, but what can we do other than getting used to this life?” Based on the findings, this study suggests implications for the declining living standards among the elderly due to restrictions and closures imposed on social welfare centers because of COVID-19. In addition, implications are provided for improving health services for the elderly, developing a system for emergency management, providing financial support and additional expenditure, securing a safe working environment for field workers and providing reliable means of transportation.