Parents' Day: The Loneliness of Seniors Living Alone

The number of elderly people living alone is increasing year by year. As the proportion of seniors in single-person households rises—to the point where one in five citizens is elderly—many seniors will spend this Parents' Day alone. Loneliness acts as a factor that accelerates illness and death.

On the other hand, there are also seniors who are overcoming their loneliness by making friends with whom they can share a meal or a cup of tea. Lee Jeong-ja, who has been living alone since her husband passed away three years ago, has no special plans for this Parents' Day.

She has not even informed her children about her medical appointments, not wanting to burden them. She finds solace and joy through conversations with new friends, such as Jeong Ha-ja, whom she met at 'Hyo-do Bapsang' (Filial Piety Meal Table).