Seocho-gu Supports Elderly Living Alone with 'Summer Mask Kits' and 'Customized Cooling Supplies'

Using IoT and Care Workers During Heatwaves: Daily Health Checks and Safety Texts Sent... Mask Kits, Hand Fans, and Eco Bags Provided to Frontline Elderly Care Workers

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seocho-gu (Mayor Eunhee Jo) is proactively preparing heatwave countermeasures for vulnerable groups, especially elderly people living alone, in anticipation of an unprecedented super heatwave this summer.

First, the district will provide 1,125 elderly people living alone who require care with a ‘summer mask kit’ (20 dental masks, 2 KF94 masks) along with customized cooling products such as cool pillows, cool arm sleeves, cool scarf sets, and cool innerwear, based on prior demand surveys.

In addition, care service life support workers will deliver fans printed with heatwave health guidelines for the elderly and simultaneously check on their well-being.

Especially, to respond quickly to emergencies when heatwave warnings are issued, training for life support workers will be conducted and an emergency contact system will be established.

Moreover, using 286 Internet of Things (IoT) devices, the district will monitor living data such as temperature, humidity, and movement in the homes of elderly people. Life support workers will check their safety daily by phone or visits and send text messages with health guidelines and heat-related illness prevention tips.

Additionally, the district will replace old fans and window screens for elderly people in vulnerable housing and provide mask kits (20 dental masks, 2 KF94 masks), hand fans, eco-bags, and thank-you cards to life support workers who diligently care for elderly people living alone, enabling them to provide more attentive care.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the district has continuously cared for the health of elderly people living alone by providing substitute meals, safety packages (quarantine supplies, healthy snacks, letters of concern), healing packages (herb companion plants, vitamin C, Ssanghwa tea), and Hyo-love packages (samgyetang, carnations, health tea).

Seocho-gu Mayor Eunhee Jo said, “Since elderly people are especially vulnerable to heatwaves, we will take extra care with a filial heart.”