Number of beneficiaries doubled from 300 to 600, support amount increased from 200,000 to 230,000 KRW per household
Four additional items including bathroom chairs and canes reflecting fall risk by housing environment, total of 13 customized items provided
1:1 fall accident prevention safety rules and behavior guidelines safety education conducted, applications accepted from 2.26 to 4.5
Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Lee Gijae) announced that it will significantly expand the number of beneficiaries for the “Senior Citizen Safe Residential Environment Improvement Project,” which installs fall prevention items in the homes of elderly residents with mobility difficulties, from the original 300 to 600 people to ensure a safe and healthy old age in the ultra-aged era.
Launched last year, the Senior Citizen Safe Residential Environment Improvement Project received high satisfaction and was selected as an excellent project in the Seoul City Yakja Donghaeng contest.
Reflecting the demands of residents, the district plans to double the number of beneficiaries this year and increase the support amount per household from 200,000 KRW to 230,000 KRW to provide tailored services.
A district official explained, “The project was expanded considering that the main causes of falls among the elderly occur in living spaces where they spend most of their time, such as slippery floors like bathroom tiles, door thresholds and sills, and falls from high beds.”
Falls among the elderly can lead not only to simple fractures but also to wrist, spine, and femur fractures that require long-term treatment. Especially for low-income groups, hospital treatment rates after falls are low, making proactive support essential.
Accordingly, to create a safer and more comfortable living environment, the district will change the project operation method from being run by four welfare centers to being directly managed by the district starting this year. Additionally, the number of supported items will be expanded from the existing nine to thirteen by adding four new items: ▲bathroom chair ▲cane ▲bathroom non-slip floor sheet ▲bed rail-mounted safety handle. Safety education on fall prevention rules and behavioral guidelines will also be provided during the installation of these items.
The support targets are elderly residents of Yangcheon-gu aged 65 or older (born on or before December 31, 1958, as of 2024) with mobility difficulties. Priority will be given based on low income, advanced age, residential environment, and health status. However, last year’s beneficiaries, long-term care recipients, and households receiving welfare equipment under other laws are excluded.
The application period is from March 26 to April 5, and applications can be submitted by visiting the local community service center. For elderly residents who have difficulty visiting in person, a one-stop service from identification to consultation and support will be provided through visiting nurses and welfare institution workers.
Last year, the district supported 337 households, including those living alone or elderly couples, with a total of 1,065 fall prevention items such as anti-slip mats and puzzle-type bathroom mats across nine categories.
According to a satisfaction survey, 96.1% of respondents frequently used the provided items and expressed a desire to continue using them.
Lee Gijae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, stated, “Since falls among the elderly mainly occur in living spaces, it is important to prevent environmental factors such as slippery floors and high thresholds in advance,” and added, “We hope the Senior Citizen Safe Residential Environment Improvement Project will contribute to the safe old age and improved quality of life of the elderly.”
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