[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] “I should have prepared Samgyetang for Chobok, but I’m sorry I could only prepare this much. Still, I hope you stay healthy and overcome the heat well this summer.”
On the 16th, Seonghyun Seong, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, visited the home of elderly resident Seongrye Park (alias, 92) in Itaewon 2-dong, bringing retort-packaged (sterilized and packed in aluminum pouches) Samgyetang, meal replacement drinks, and cooling supplies.
Yongsan-gu (Mayor Seonghyun Seong) delivered Samgyetang and cooling supplies to 3,897 single elderly households in the area in celebration of Chobok.
This was because the annual senior citizens’ banquet could not be held due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The purchase and distribution of goods were organized by each neighborhood’s Senior Welfare Support Association and the Community Leaders’ Council.
According to the circumstances of each neighborhood, Huam-dong provided health lunch boxes and daily necessities; Namyeong-dong, Samgyetang; Cheongpa-dong, cooling supplies; Wonhyo-ro 1-ga, Samgyetang and cool mats; Wonhyo-ro 2-ga and Hyochang-dong, cooling supplies; Yongmun and Hangangno-dong, Onnuri gift certificates; Ichon 1-dong, cooling supplies; Ichon 2-dong, Samgyetang and rice; Itaewon 1-dong, Samgyetang and dental masks; Itaewon 2-dong, Samgyetang and cooling supplies; Hannam-dong, toothpaste and toothbrush sets; Seobinggo-dong, Samgyetang and summer blankets; Bogwang-dong, cooling supplies. (Yongsan 2-ga-dong provided seaweed and beef in the first half of the year.)
A district official said, “Although we could not hold the senior citizens’ banquet due to COVID-19, the elderly will surely appreciate the residents’ heartfelt intentions.”
The district will also strengthen the ‘Customized Care Service for the Elderly’ during the summer season. The customized care service integrates four major projects?basic and comprehensive care services, short-term housekeeping services, and community linkage?into one. The service targets are National Basic Livelihood Security recipients, low-income groups, and basic pension recipients aged 65 or older.
The service providers are five organizations: Yongsan Senior Welfare Center, Galwol Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, Hyochang Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, Cheongpa Senior Welfare Center, and Yongsan Home Care Support Center. In accordance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines, they provide various services such as visit and phone safety monitoring, daily life support, social relationship enhancement programs, and linkage to private sponsorships.
In particular, around Chobok, the district is recruiting volunteers to carry out the so-called ‘Heatwave Ssak Three (3)’ project for elderly care recipients, which includes ▲nutritional food support for the hottest days ▲heatwave supplies support ▲mobile hairdressing services. These related services will be provided once a week until next month.
Additionally, considering the COVID-19 situation, the district plans to ensure elderly residents’ summer health management by operating outdoor heatwave shelters (one per neighborhood, 16 in total) and a safety accommodation facility (New World Hotel in Namyeong-dong).
Seonghyun Seong, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “Taking care of the health of the elderly during the heatwave is an important role of local government. The district will do its best to prevent even a single safety accident this summer.”
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