Jeonnam Province Strengthens Care for 'Vulnerable Elderly' Amid Chuseok Homecoming Restraint

Leading Care for High-Risk Elderly Rest Amid Prolonged COVID-19 Pandemic

Jeonnam Province care workers assist elderly people with video calls. Photo by Jeonnam Province

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yoon Jamin] Jeollanam-do has stepped up care for vulnerable elderly people during the Chuseok holiday.

This move by Jeollanam-do is a response considering the social atmosphere of refraining from visiting hometowns and relatives due to COVID-19, despite the Chuseok holiday. There was concern that elderly people might spend a lonely holiday both physically and mentally, and that their children would find it difficult to enjoy the holiday comfortably due to worries about their parents amid travel restrictions.

Accordingly, Jeollanam-do made direct visits to all recipients of the Senior Customized Care Service, IT-based Emergency Safety and Security Service for the elderly living alone and disabled, and the Solitary Death Watch Group before the Chuseok holiday to check on their well-being, and also completed inspections of equipment installed in their homes. In addition, emergency contact networks were checked to prepare for any possible emergency situations.

In particular, by utilizing care workers, video call services with family members were provided to ease the regret of not being able to meet in person, and to prevent solitary deaths that may occur during the long holiday, the elderly’s well-being will be monitored even during the holiday period.

The Solitary Death Watch Group, consisting of 1,777 village chiefs and women’s association heads in the province, is also checking on 2,052 elderly living alone and middle-aged people in areas at high risk of solitary death due to isolation from the outside, providing simple beverages and other items while confirming their well-being.

Furthermore, Jeollanam-do delivered winter underwear to prevent infectious diseases during the changing seasons, following the support of daily necessities and food sets provided from April to May, conveying warm hearts to economically disadvantaged elderly people.

A Jeollanam-do official said, “Due to the special circumstances of COVID-19 this year, attention to vulnerable elderly people who are easily isolated during joyful holidays is even more urgent,” and added, “We will frequently check on the elderly through village communication leaders, women’s association heads, and neighbors so that they can spend a warm and not lonely Chuseok.”

Meanwhile, Jeollanam-do provides customized care services to about 43,000 elderly people in need of care in the province, including well-being checks, daily life support, and life education.

In particular, emergency safety and security equipment has been installed in about 15,000 households of elderly living alone, and their movements as well as emergencies such as fires are continuously monitored to ensure safety.