A Case Study on the Living Experience of People at Risk of Lonely Deaths by Life Cycle: Focus on Urban and Rural Areas

Recently, the rapidly increasing number of lonely deaths in Korea has emerged as a serious social problem. Approximately 1% of all deaths each year are found to be lonely deaths. The purpose of this study is to understand the living experiences of people at risk of lonely deaths by life cycle, focusing on urban and rural areas. To achieve this goal, the data were collected with seven young, middle-aged, and elderly people at risk of lonely deaths and analyzed using a qualitative case study approach. The analysis revealed that the living experiences of those at risk of lonely deaths by life cycle were organized into four categories(reasons for living alone in the area, difficulties in everyday life, effort for daily life, suggestions for preventing social isolation) and 23 subcategories. Based on the major results, policy and practical recommendations were made to prevent social isolation and improve the quality of life of those at risk of lonely deaths. The proposal was presented in terms of five needs of people at high risk of lonely death: employment, social relationships, care, physical and mental health, housing, and safety.