Selected as the Best Institution in the Field of Visiting and ICT-Based Senior Welfare Check by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and Korea Institute of Public Administration
Smart Care Welfare Check Monitoring Seniors and At-Risk Households, and Establishing a Human Safety Network Where Residents Care for Residents
Seongdong-gu (Mayor Jung Won-oh) has been selected as the best government innovation institution by the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Korea Institute of Public Administration for its case of ‘Visiting and ICT-based Senior Welfare Check Service.’
The inaugural government innovation best institution selection this year included various cases where administrative and public institutions improved convenience and safety for citizens through creative ideas. Among them, Seongdong-gu was chosen as the best institution in the visiting and ICT combination category for its dense human safety network through public-private cooperation and its use of smart technology for crisis and emergency prevention and rapid response.
The district operates the ‘Smart Care Welfare Check Service,’ which integrates innovative technology to monitor the safety of seniors and middle-aged single-person households at risk of solitary death in real time. The ‘Together Welfare Check Service,’ started in 2019, allows welfare checks without installing separate devices by using mobile phone call logs. If there is no call history for more than an average of three days, a crisis alert message is sent, and the local community center staff confirm by phone or visit.
Additionally, to prevent emergencies for those with limited mobility who require 24-hour monitoring, the district runs the ‘Happy Community’ project.
An AI speaker is installed in the homes of the target individuals, and in case of an emergency SOS request such as “Help me” or “Save me,” it automatically reports to 119 and 112. There was an actual case where a senior who slipped in the bathroom called for help through the speaker, which reported to 119, enabling rapid hospital transfer.
Furthermore, customized smart welfare check services are linked through smart plugs that detect power consumption, the Seoul Salpimi app that confirms active operation, and AI automated Good Morning Calls, according to the preferences and ages of the individuals.
A human safety network where residents care for residents has also been established. Centered on members of the local community security council, ‘Juju Caregivers’ who match one-on-one with high-risk reclusive households and ‘Our Neighborhood Care Team’ that monitors solitary death risk groups have been organized to support the formation of neighborly networks.
Especially, the ‘Crisis Household Intensive Discovery Team,’ operating since February last year, roams neighborhoods delivering promotional materials to discover welfare blind spots in vulnerable residential areas such as boarding houses, multi-family housing clusters, and semi-basements. This year, the team expanded from two to four members to broaden its activity scope.
Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “Being selected as the ‘best’ institution in the field of senior welfare checks is thanks to the fusion of smart technology services and the warm participation of residents,” adding, “We will continue to strive to implement welfare administration without blind spots by utilizing smart technology.”
Seocho-gu Holds Image-Making Talk Concert... Enhancing the Dignity of the New Middle-Aged
The District Holds an Image-Making Talk Concert for ‘New Middle-Aged’ Citizens Aged 55 and Over at the Neutinamu Shelter on the 24th
Special Lecture on Beauty, Fashion, Walking, and Posture by Professor Kim Dong-su of Dongduk Women’s University under the Theme ‘A Life Becoming Beautiful with Dignity’
One-Day Experience Events Including Color Makeup, Clothing According to Bone Structure, and Walking Coaching Suitable for the New Middle-Aged Image
Due to advances in medical technology and increased life expectancy, the 50s and 60s generations, previously classified as ‘middle-aged,’ are now categorized as ‘new middle-aged.’ The ‘new middle-aged’ are known to have higher education levels and better health than previous generations, with strong desires to find happiness through passionate social activities and self-management.
Seocho-gu (Mayor Jeon Seong-su) will hold an ‘Image-Making Talk Concert’ on the 24th to help citizens aged 55 and over enhance their self-management skills and regain confidence.
The event will be held at the 3rd-floor Art Hall of the Neutinamu Shelter, a district facility located in Yeomgok-dong, with the lecture given by Professor Kim Dong-su of Dongduk Women’s University, Korea’s first model and founder of the modeling department.
The lecture, themed ‘A Life Becoming Beautiful with Dignity,’ will be conducted in a talk concert format covering various fields such as beauty, fashion, walking, and posture for about 100 new middle-aged participants to help them create an image that suits themselves.
Along with this, a one-day experience event will be held featuring color makeup coaching, clothing coaching according to bone structure, and image coaching based on walking style, provided by Professor Kim Dong-su and professors from the Dongduk Women’s University modeling department as a talent donation.
The ‘Image-Making Talk Concert’ is free of charge, and for application methods and detailed information, inquiries can be made through the Neutinamu Shelter website or by phone.
Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, said, “We will do our best to prepare various customized programs that can help design a healthy second act of life for the new middle-aged.”
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