All Issue

2025 Vol.36, Issue 6 Preview Page

Research Article

A Comparative Study of Global Policies to Develop Models of Aging in Community - Focus on UK, Denmark and Japan -

Aging in Community 구축을 위한 해외 정책 비교 분석 - 영국, 덴마크, 일본을 중심으로 -

Seong Wook Lee1
,
Seo Ryeung Ju2
,
Yi-Kyung Hong3
이 성욱1
,
주 서령2
,
홍 이경3
1정회원(주저자), 경희대학교 주거환경학과 고령서비스-테크융합전공 박사과정
2정회원(교신저자), 경희대학교 주거환경학과 고령서비스-테크융합전공 교수
3정회원(공동저자), 경희대학교 주거환경학과 고령서비스-테크융합전공 학술연구교수
Corresponding AuthorSeo Ryeung Ju, Department of Housing & Interior Design, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dong-daemun-gu, Seoul, 02447, Korea. E-mail: jcl@khu.ac.kr
25 December 2025. pp. 049-062
PDF XML Citation
Abstract

This study aims to draw key policy implications for designing a successful Aging in Community (AIC) model for South Korea. To achieve this, it conducts a comparative analysis of the AIC policies in the United Kingdom, Denmark, and Japan—countries with earlier experiences in managing aged populations. For its research method, policy documents from the three nations were compared using a six-factor analytical framework: (1) Legal basis & Policy, (2) Financing & Cost burden, (3) Living area scope & Physical Environment, (4) Community social services, (5) Housing supply & Maintenance, and (6) Workforce development & Composition.The findings reveal that while each country’s approach is deeply rooted in its distinct welfare philosophy—the UK’s means-tested selective model, Denmark’s tax-based universalism, and Japan’s social insurance-based hybrid system—they converge on several key principles. All three nations have established integrated governance to overcome service fragmentation, legally defined care as a right, and adopted prevention and rehabilitation as a core strategy to enhance seniors’ independence and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability.This study concludes by proposing a strategic direction for a Korean AIC model, emphasizing the need for rights-based integrated governance and a sustainable financing model. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of a service paradigm centered on prevention—supported by diverse housing models, regionally-tailored spatial strategies, and a professionalized workforce.

Keywords
Aging in Community (AIC)
Community-based Integrated Care
Comparative Policy Study
키워드
지역사회 지속 거주
지역사회 통합돌봄
정책 비교 연구
References
1

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP). (2017). AARP network of age-friendly states and communities. Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/livable-communities/network-age-friendly-communities/

2

American Planning Association (APA). (2014). Aging in community policy guide. Retrieved from https://www.lcc.mn.gov/aging/08142024/APApolicy%20guide-AIC%20copy.pdf

3

Bevan, M., & Croucher, K. (2011). Lifetime Neighbourhoods. London: Department for Communities and Local Government.

4

Bourne, L. S. (1986). The geography of housing. Real estate economics, 14(1), 173-174.

10.1111/1540-6229.00380
5

Danmarks Statistik. (2022). Fewer elderly people continue to live in nursing homes and elderly housing. Retrieved from https://www.dst.dk/da/Statistik/nyheder-analyser-publ/nyt/NytHtml?cid=34723

6

Danmarks Statistik. (2024). Social benefits for the elderly. Retrieved from https://www.dst.dk/da/Statistik/emner/sociale-forhold/social-stoette/sociale-ydelser-til-aeldre

7

Department of Health and Social Care. (2022). Better Care Fund (BCF) policy framework: 2022 to 2023. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/better-care-fund-bcf-policy-framework-2022-to-2023

8

GOV. UK. (2025). Guidance social care - charging for care and support 2025 to 2026: Local authority circular. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/social-care-charging-for-local-authorities-2025-to-2026/social-care-charging-for-care-and-support-2025-to-2026-local-authority-circular

9

Greater London Authority. (2021). The London plan 2021. London: Greater London Authority.

10

Housing LIN. (2016). What is extra care housing?. Retrieved from https://www.housinglin.org.uk/Topics/browse/HousingExtraCare/what-is-extra-care/

11

Iecovich, E. (2014). Aging in place: From theory to practice. Anthropological Notebooks, 20(1), 21-33.

12

Kang, E. N., Kim, S. J., Lee, S. H., Ju, B. H., Hwang, N. H., Kim, K. R., Lee, H. J., & Choi, K. D. (2023). The 2023 national survey of older Koreans. Sejong: Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs.

13

Kang, S. H., & Kim, H. R. (2019). Current status of long-term care services for the elderly and directions for enhancing the role of insurance companies. Seoul: Korea Insurance Research Institute.

14

Kim, J. M. (2024). Current situation and challenges for the establishment of a ‘community-based integrated elderly care system’: In the case of actions in Kawasaki City, Japan and implications for South Korea. Japanese Cultural Studies, 89, 173-200.

10.18075/jcs..89.202401.173
15

Kim, J. Y. (2016). Acceptance system for foreign nurses and caregivers in Japan. Wonkwang Law Review, 32(4), 93-118.

10.22397/wlri.2016.32.4.93
16

Ko, Y. H., He, J. S., Choi, G. Y., & Han, S. Y. (2021). A study on an age-friendly living environment for the improvement of architecture and urban policy in Korea. Sejong: Architecture & Urban Research Institute.

17

Københavns Kommune. (2024). Kommuneplan 2024. Copenhagen: Københavns Kommune.

18

Københavns Kommune. (n.d.). The municipal home care. Retrieved from https://hjemmeplejetilaeldre.kk.dk/

19

Kong, S. H. (2015). Process of development and its issues of community care policy for older people in the UK: Focused on a mixed economy of care. Journal of the Korean Gerontological Society, 35(1), 79-98.

20

Lee, W. J. (2015). A comparative study on elderly long-term care service quality management trends and policy reform - Focusing on Japan, Germany-, UK. Korean Journal of Social Science, 34(1), 107-156.

10.18284/jss.2015.06.34.1.107
21

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) (n.d.). Housing renovation under Long-Term Care Insurance. Retrieved from https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/12300000/001016043.pdf

22

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. (2016). Reference casebook of non-long-term care insurance services for building a community-based integrated care system: Insurance-gai service utilization guidebook. Retrieved from https://www.mhlw.go.jp/file/06-Seisakujouhou-12300000-Roukenkyoku/guidebook-zentai.pdf

23

Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. (2024). Regarding the situation surrounding the long-term care insurance system.

24

Ministry of Justice. (n.d.). Japanese Law Translation. Retrieved from https://www.japaneselawtranslation.go.jp

25

Ministry of Land, Infrastructure. (n.d.). Serviced Housing for the Elderly Information Provision System. Retrieved from https://www.satsuki-jutaku.mlit.go.jp/system.html

26

Ministry of the Interior and Health. (2005). The Local Government Reform - in brief. Danske Regioner. Retrieved from https://www.regioner.dk/media/2845/the-local-government-reform-in-brief.pdf

27

Nakadera, A. (2023, 1. 28). What is the community-based integrated care system? Five components and case examples from across Japan. Asahi Shimbun.

28

National Association of Primary Care (NAPC). (2025). Integrated neighbourhood teams. Retrieved from https://napc.co.uk/our-programmes/integrated-neighbourhood-teams/

29

NHS England. (n.d.). What are integrated care systems?. Retrieved from https://www.england.nhs.uk/integratedcare/what-is-integrated-care/

30

Noh, H. J., & Kang, J. W. (2022). Housing and social care for older adults: Focusing on the UK and Japan. Global Social Security Review, 2022(Summer), 100-111.

31

OECD. (2021). Pensions at a glance 2021: OECD and G20 indicators. Paris: OECD Publishing.

32

Pani-Harreman, K. E., Bours, G. J., Zander, I., Kempen, G. I., & van Duren, J. M. (2021). Definitions, key themes and aspects of ‘ageing in place’: A scoping review. Ageing & Society, 41(9), 2026-2059.

10.1017/S0144686X20000094
33

Park, J. H., Pakr, G. Y., & Sim, K. S. (2017). A comparative study on the housing policy for the aged in Germany, the UK and Sweden. The Journal of Humanities and Social science, 8(4), 1175-1192.

10.22143/HSS21.8.4.60
34

Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC). (2015). Age-friendly communities evaluation guide. Retrieved from https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/migration/phac-aspc/seniors-aines/alt-formats/pdf/indicators-indicateurs-v2-eng.pdf

35

Retsinformation. (n.d.). Retsinformation.dk. Retrieved from https://www.retsinformation.dk

36

Rogers, W. A., Ramadhani, W. A., & Harris, M. T. (2020). Defining aging in place: The intersectionality of space, person, and time. Innovation in aging, 4(4), igaa036.

10.1093/geroni/igaa03633173834PMC7595274
37

Rostgaard, T. (2020). Changes in formal and informal care giving in Denmark. Global Social Security Review, 2020 (Spring), 5-16.

38

Sawai, H. (2017). Proposed amendments to the Long-Term Care Insurance Act and related laws to strengthen the community-based integrated care system. Rippo to Chosa: Legislation and Research, 387, 21-40.

39

Seo, D. M. (2025). Issues in the integrated community care and the implementation of the integrated community care support act. In Health and Welfare Policy Forum, 2025(2), 4-23.

40

Skills for Care. (2024). The state of the adult social care sector and workforce in England, 2024. Retrieved from https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Adult-Social-Care-Workforce-Data/workforceintelligence/resources/Reports/National/The-state-of-the-adult-social-care-sector-and-workforce-in-England-2024.pdf

41

Skills for Care. (n.d.). The Care Workforce Pathway. Retrieved from https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Developing-your-workforce/Care-workforce-pathway/The-Care-Workforce-Pathway.aspx

42

Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE). (2022. December). Multidisciplinary teams: Integrating care in places and neighbourhoods. Retrieved from https://www.scie.org.uk/integrated-care/multidisciplinary-teams/

43

Social Welfare Promotion and National Examination Center. (n.d.). Homepage. Retrieved from https://www.sssc.or.jp/

44

Statistics Korea. (2023). Population projections for Korea: 2022-2072. Retrieved from https://kostat.go.kr/board.es?mid=a10301020600&bid=207&act=view&list_no=428476

45

The National Archives. (n.d.). Legislation.gov.uk. Retrieved from https://www.legislation.gov.uk

46

The Scottish Government. (2023). National planning framework 4. Edinburgh: The Scottish Government.

47

Thomas, W., & Blanchard, J. (2009). Moving beyond place: Aging in community. Generations, 33(2), 12-17.

48

Thorgaard, C., & Vinther, H. (2007). Rescaling Social Welfare Policies in Denmark: National Report. Socialforskningsinstituttet.

49

UddannelsesGuiden. (n.d.). Social- og sundhedshjælper. Retrieved from https://www.ug.dk/uddannelser/erhvervsuddannelser/omsorg-sundhed-og-paedagogik/social-og-sundhedshjaelper

50

UN Data Portal. (2022). World population prospects 2022. Retrieved from https://population.un.org/dataportal/

51

Vanleerberghe, P., De Witte, N., Claes, C., Schalock, R. L., & Verté, D. (2017). The quality of life of older people aging in place: a literature review. Quality of Life Research, 26(11), 2899-2907.

10.1007/s11136-017-1651-0
52

Wiles, J. L., Leibing, A., Guberman, N., Reeve, J., & Allen, R. E. (2012). The meaning of “aging in place” to older people. The gerontologist, 52(3), 357-366.

10.1093/geront/gnr098
53

World Health Organization (WHO). (2015). World report on ageing and health. Geneva: WHO Press.

54

World Health Organization. (2007). Global age-friendly cities: A guide. World Health Organization.

55

Yoo, A. J., & Park, H. K. (2022). Evaluation of the integrated care policy: performance and future directions. Public Health Affairs, 6(1), 75-98.

10.29339/pha.22.7
56

Yurday, E. (2025). Average household savings & wealth UK 2025. Retrieved from https://www.nimblefins.co.uk/savings-accounts/average-household-savings-uk

Information
  • Publisher :The Korean Housing Association
  • Publisher(Ko) :한국주거학회
  • Journal Title :Journal of the Korean Housing Association
  • Journal Title(Ko) :한국주거학회논문집
  • Volume : 36
  • No :6
  • Pages :049-062
  • Received Date : 2025-10-02
  • Revised Date : 2025-11-06
  • Accepted Date : 2025-11-13
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.6107/JKHA.2025.36.6.049
Journal Informaiton Journal of the Korean Housing Association Journal of the Korean Housing Association
Archives
: the Korean Housing Association
  • NRF
  • KOFST
  • crossref crossmark
  • crossref cited-by
  • crosscheck
  • orcid
Journal Informaiton Journal Informaiton - close