Special Health Management for Elderly Vulnerable to Cold Wave in Nam-gu, Gwangju

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] Nam-gu, Gwangju (District Mayor Kim Byung-nae) has launched a special health management campaign along with the distribution of cold-weather supplies until the end of December to ensure a wise and comfortable old age for vulnerable elderly people during the cold wave.

According to Nam-gu on the 7th, seven staff members from the Public Health Center’s Visiting Health Team have been visiting the homes of 450 elderly people living alone and vulnerable elderly residents in the district since the 1st to provide special health management education in preparation for the cold wave, focusing on those suffering from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases affected by the cold.

This is because elderly people with underlying conditions such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, diabetes, and hypertension are at increased risk of hypothermia and frostbite due to the sudden cold wave and temperature drop.

Accordingly, the Public Health Center staff are visiting the homes of vulnerable elderly residents until the 31st to provide guidance on four preventive measures against cold-related illnesses.

In particular, they are promoting the importance of healthy lifestyle habits such as light indoor exercise and adequate hydration, maintaining an appropriate indoor temperature of 18 to 20 degrees Celsius, refraining from outdoor activities during cold waves, and wearing gloves and hats when going outside to maintain body temperature.

Along with this, cold-weather socks are being distributed to help prepare for the cold wave, and moisturizing foot care products are provided to elderly people with diabetes to prevent foot diseases by blocking bacterial penetration through cracked skin.

A Nam-gu official stated, “The winter cold wave will be even harsher for elderly people living alone and vulnerable elderly residents who are isolated from family and neighbors,” adding, “We will pay special attention to health management to relieve loneliness through mutual care networks and help them enjoy a vibrant old age.”