Preventing Solitary Deaths in Single-Person Households Through Neighbor Matching in Amsa 1-dong, Gangdong-gu

Enhancing Community Spirit Where Neighbors Care for Neighbors Through Matching Single-Person Households... Immediate Home Visits If No Check-In Call Is Made at Least Once a Week to Matched Families

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jeong-hoon) Amsa 1-dong is facing a serious economic crisis and social isolation among single-person households, which have become more marginalized due to the prolonged COVID-19 situation. To address this, they are collaborating with local residents to promote various projects.

Last year, Amsa 1-dong carried out the "Neighbor-Neighbor Project," which encouraged residents to look after and show interest in their neighbors, providing opportunities for residents to easily participate in helping those in need.

This year, they are taking a step further by implementing the "Neighbor-Connection" project, which fosters relationships between neighbors so that local residents can care for single-person households, actively promoting community care services.

The "Neighbor-Connection" project targets 80 middle-aged single-person households aged between 50 and under 65 who are at risk or potential risk of solitary death. It is organized by the Amsa 1-dong Community Security Council (private chairman Son Kyung-jin), with participation from about 200 residents from nine occupational groups including the neighborhood association, matched at a 2:1 ratio to each household.

Residents matched with single-person households make weekly phone calls to check on their well-being. If there is no contact for two days (three or more times), they notify the community service center, and a welfare planner immediately visits the home to check the condition.

Additionally, quarterly home visits will be conducted to check on residents face-to-face and deliver sponsored goods.

Seo Jeok-ok, head of Amsa 1-dong, said, "To support single-person households increasingly marginalized due to COVID-19, the community will step up to provide opportunities for neighbors to care for each other, fulfilling its role as a hub of welfare community at the district level and creating a healthy community."