Wanju-gun, High Satisfaction with Health Management Among Those Aged 60 and Over!

Survey Results from Korea Institute for Industrial Policy... Satisfaction with Community Support and Health

[Wanju=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Han-ho] It has been revealed that elderly residents aged 60 and over in Wanju-gun feel highly satisfied with regular health management, including COVID-19 vaccinations.

According to the "Interim Report on the Study for Creating an Age-Friendly City" commissioned by Wanju-gun to the Korea Institute for Industrial Policy Studies (KIIPS) on the 19th, the "Comprehensive Age-Friendliness Score of Wanju-gun" based on a valid sample of 501 people was found to be 2.90 out of 5 points, indicating a level above the median.

The Korea Institute for Industrial Policy Studies conducted an "Age-Friendliness Survey" from August 2 to 6 this year, targeting 510 elderly residents aged 60 and over living in Wanju-gun.

The survey covered 86 questions across the eight domains of age-friendliness defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), including transportation, housing, and social participation.

When the scores for the eight domains of age-friendliness were combined, the "Community Support and Health" domain scored the highest at 3.23 points.

It was followed by housing (3.16 points), convenience of transportation (3.12 points), outdoor spaces and buildings (2.94 points), communication and information (2.89 points), respect and social inclusion (2.70 points), social participation (2.61 points), and civic participation and employment (2.56 points).

Among the 86 items, the statement "Opportunities are provided to receive regular health management (health checkups, vaccinations)" scored high at 3.84 points.

Additionally, the statement "The neighborhood I currently live in has low crime risk and is safe" also received a relatively high score of 3.62 points.

Other items that received high scores included "Staff at social welfare facilities respect and are friendly to the elderly (3.60 points)," "The house I currently live in is adequately equipped with necessary facilities such as water supply, bathroom, and heating (3.53 points)," "Appropriate treatment can be received anytime at hospitals or health centers when medical care or treatment is needed (3.38 points)," and "Traffic flow is well controlled on the roads, making transportation smooth (3.39 points)."

On the other hand, items such as "Sidewalks have anti-slip measures (2.54 points)," "Schools educate about aging and the elderly and include the elderly in school events (2.32 points)," and "Education for reemployment after retirement is provided (2.40 points)" were rated below average.

Regarding community-based living projects, when asked what is most needed in Wanju-gun, 28.3% of respondents chose "Expansion of convenience facilities such as cultural and sports facilities" as the highest, followed by "Strengthening welfare facility functions (30.5%)" and "Expansion of living safety infrastructure (26.7%)."

The most needed information and fields to lead a healthy and vibrant old age were health management (51.1%), healthcare services (18.6%), and elderly welfare services (12.8%).

Wanju=Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Han-ho stonepeak@asiae.co.kr