Development of a Customized Health Service Model Unique to Jungnang-gu Through 3 Years of Case Management After the 2020 Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Health Survey... 109 Personnel Including Nutritionists, Exercise Prescribers, Visiting Nurses, and Senior Health Leaders Deployed... 1006 Seniors Participated, Improving Walking Practice Rate, Depression Experience Rate, Subjective Health Awareness Rate, Blood Pressure Awareness Rate, and Blood Sugar Awareness Rate
Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) has gained attention as its self-developed 'Senior Customized Health Management Service' is receiving positive responses from residents and achieving significant results.
This project, targeting seniors aged 65 and older, was initiated in 2020 when Jungnang-gu conducted a local survey in collaboration with the Seoul National University Graduate School of Public Health. Over three years from 2020, case management was carried out, and the senior customized health management service was developed to suit the characteristics of Jungnang-gu.
A multidisciplinary team consisting of visiting nurses from community service centers, nutritionists, and exercise prescribers conducts preliminary health assessments of the participants. Based on the health evaluation results and the requests of the senior participants, a customized health management plan covering nutrition, exercise, and emotional support is established.
This 12-week program involves nutritionists and exercise prescribers visiting participants once a month for a total of three visits to provide education and check progress, while visiting nurses offer emotional support through visits and phone consultations.
Above all, the role of senior health leaders, who are directly trained by the district health center, is significant. These senior health leaders are health supporters recruited from Jungnang-gu residents aged 50 and above and trained by the district health center. They frequently visit and call the homes of senior participants to provide companionship and encourage them to practice healthy lifestyles.
In addition, activities such as walking step monitoring, eco-bag making, traditional Korean ornaments (norigae) crafting, mushroom cultivation, emotional support package activities, and smartphone usage education are conducted, resulting in high satisfaction among seniors.
To promote this project in 2023, the district visited each community service center to hold briefing sessions for staff to enhance understanding of the program. A total of 109 personnel were deployed, providing services to 1,006 seniors.
According to the project evaluation meeting held last December, the satisfaction rate with the service was 93.2%. Comparing before and after participation, walking participation increased from 59.7% to 79.1%, and the experience rate of depression decreased from 42.1% to 28.2%. Subjective health awareness improved from 45.4% to 90.2%, blood pressure awareness from 50.5% to 64.3%, and blood sugar awareness from 43.9% to 91.2%.
Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi stated, “The senior customized health management project is a unique health promotion initiative by Jungnang-gu designed to help seniors enjoy a healthy old age. We will continue to operate various programs to ensure seniors live healthy and vibrant lives and strive to enhance senior welfare, making Jungnang-gu a district that honors its elders.”
This year, the district plans to expand the service coverage from the existing 8 neighborhoods to 12 neighborhoods and aims to extend it to the entire district by 2025.
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