Choi Hogwon, Yeongdeungpo-gu Mayor, Concludes 'Warm Journey with the Elderly'

Yeongdeungpo-gu Completes 5-Month Journey of ‘Warm Companionship with Seniors’... Demonstrates Model of Community Autonomy through On-Site Communication Administration

Visited 170 Senior Centers Over the Past 5 Months to Spend Time Meeting and Communicating with Seniors

Plans to Establish ‘Yeongdeungpo-Type Senior Center Comprehensive Plan’ Based on Suggestions from Senior Communications

Establishment of ‘Yeongdeungpo-Type Smart Silver Center’... Strengthening Resident-Centered Communication Covering Future Education and Childcare

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, completed the ‘Warm Companionship with Seniors Journey’ by visiting all 170 senior centers in the district from January to May this year to communicate with seniors.

Instead of a formal New Year’s greeting event, Mayor Choi spent meaningful time over the past five months visiting every senior center in the area to listen attentively to the diverse opinions of the elderly.

In particular, Mayor Choi focused on directly inspecting the senior center facilities, identifying inconveniences faced by seniors, and preparing comprehensive improvement measures.

Through this communication, the district confirmed various difficulties related to senior center operations, such as the actualization of heating and operating cost support, support for lunch and cleaning helpers, renovation and repair of aging facilities, and activation of programs. They gathered diverse opinions based on the wisdom and experience of seniors who have been the main contributors to Korea’s economic development.

Accordingly, the district plans to establish the ‘Yeongdeungpo-Type Senior Center Comprehensive Plan’ based on the various suggestions from seniors. This plan will cover comprehensive measures addressing opinions directly observed and heard at senior centers, including ▲expansion of leisure activity spaces for seniors by region ▲actualization of support for senior center operations ▲activation of senior center programs ▲improvement of senior center environments ▲expansion of senior job opportunities ▲and establishment of a senior center operation support system.

Furthermore, the district intends to shed the image of old senior centers and create a ‘Yeongdeungpo-Type Smart Silver Center’ suitable for the ultra-aged era’s ‘modern seniors.’ This is expected to present a new concept of senior centers that support seniors with new welfare services using various digital devices.

In addition, after analyzing and evaluating the pilot operation of the ‘Yeongdeungpo-Type Senior Center,’ the district plans to propose the ‘Yeongdeungpo-Type Senior Center’ model to the government and Seoul City, aiming to lead the development of leisure culture not only for seniors in Yeongdeungpo-gu but also for seniors across the Republic of Korea.

Following the foundation laid for improving senior welfare through on-site communication with seniors at all local senior centers, the district will strengthen its communication efforts by promoting ‘Sympathy School Day,’ which listens to vivid voices from the education field.

Reflecting diverse opinions from the education field, the district will establish on-site tailored education support policies and focus on creating an educational ecosystem for nurturing future science talents through programs such as science principle experience classes visiting schools and tours of the National Gwacheon Science Museum, advancing toward becoming a prestigious education city.

In the future, the district will create a childcare environment where both children and parents can feel secure by holding ‘Childcare Center Communication Meetings’ to discuss difficulties faced by childcare centers struggling with low birth rates.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo-gu, stated, “We will proactively improve senior center operations based on what we have directly seen and heard on-site so that seniors can enjoy a healthy and vibrant old age. We will continue to carry out open administration that shares opinions and finds solutions together through resident-centered on-site communication regarding the enhancement of senior welfare, future education directions, and improvement of childcare environments.”