The government will provide free respite care service to the aged and ailing veterans and patriots under a bill that the Cabinet approved Tuesday to improve the welfare of those people, officials said.

Under the program, caregivers will visit homes of veterans and patriots who are aged 65 or older, living alone or suffering from senile diseases to help them eat meals and do house chores and other daily activities, they said.

The bill, which now awaits approval from the parliament, also allows regional offices in charge of veterans and patriots affairs to hire welfare workers so they can effectively render counseling services.

In addition, it requires the state to set up a comprehensive system to support rehabilitation and welfare of disabled veterans. (Yonhap News)