Seongdong-gu Creates Lifelong ‘Best Friend’ Senior Centers with 100% Satisfaction

Creating Comfortable, Safe, and Always Enjoyable Senior Centers for Accompanying 100-Year-Olds Ahead of Ultra-Aged Society Entry
Installation of Heating and Cooling Systems, Air and Sterilization Purifiers Management, Smart Senior Centers, Support for Fall-Prevention Sofas
Improving Senior Center Facilities, Operations, and Programs to Realize Aging in Place in Local Communities

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jung Won-oh) announced plans to further accelerate the implementation of senior-friendly community center operation support policies, enabling elderly residents to enjoy leisure time that is "comfortable, safe, and always fun" at community centers near their homes.

The senior population in Seongdong-gu has steadily increased each year, reaching 49,260 as of December 2023, accounting for 17.7% of the total population of Seongdong-gu, signaling an imminent transition to a super-aged society. The number of elderly living alone is also gradually rising, comprising 24.7% of the senior population in Seongdong-gu.

In response, Seongdong-gu has adopted the vision of "Community Centers as Facilities for Companionship up to 100 Years," dedicating efforts to creating community centers where seniors can stay together for a long time. The policy focuses on building happy community centers where seniors gather like "partners" in the literal sense of "companionship," sharing warm meals and enjoying entertaining leisure programs together while wishing for each other's well-being and health.

Improvement of Community Center Facilities

First, Seongdong-gu will improve aging and deteriorated community center facilities to ensure they can be used comfortably and safely. As part of this, the district will promote a "Green Remodeling" project. This project aims to enhance the energy efficiency of old community centers, making them cool in summer and warm in winter. A budget of 550.56 million KRW will be invested in three locations: Majangje 4 Community Center, Sangbong Community Center, and Eungbong Community Center, to install heating and cooling systems and perform insulation work. Construction is targeted to be completed before July, when the heatwave begins, to ensure the safety of the elderly.

Majangje 2 Community Center will be rebuilt as a Zero Energy Building (ZEB). Although community centers rated as hazardous in detailed safety inspections are being demolished, the district has gathered opinions from seniors who wish to continue using the same community center. It will be reconstructed as an eco-friendly building with an energy efficiency rating of 1++ or higher, and the surrounding park will also be refurbished.

A fall-prevention safety care project will also be promoted. The district currently supports fall-prevention sofas that assist sitting and standing and help prevent safety accidents in community centers. Last year, 509 sofas were provided to 71 community centers in the area, receiving high satisfaction from seniors. Based on demand surveys, an additional 70 sofas will be supplied this year.

Seongdong-gu will also conduct maintenance services for a total of 381 air purifiers and sterilizing purifiers installed in 173 locations, including all community centers and welfare facilities for the disabled in the district, to serve as safe shelters from fine dust and respiratory diseases. In particular, sterilizing purifiers, when used together with air purifiers, not only enhance air purification efficiency but also have excellent deodorizing functions, playing a significant role in providing a pleasant environment for seniors dining at community centers.

Improvement of Community Center Operations

In January, Seongdong-gu appointed 163 trusted community center presidents who are committed to social service as local volunteer coordinators. Based on Article 24 of the Senior Welfare Act, these coordinators promote and guide senior welfare policies, conduct infection prevention activities at community centers, manage overall operations, and engage in volunteer activities for the local community. Through the operation of these coordinators, the district aims to respect the efforts made to enhance senior welfare and provide motivation for them to work with pride.

Additionally, the district is considering changing the current lunch and snack support, which is autonomously provided three or more times a week with operational funds and lunch helpers, to support lunch five or more days a week.

Seongdong-gu also plans to newly establish smart community centers to reduce the digital divide and improve the quality of life for seniors. Smart community centers refer to community centers that build a "smart home" environment using smart sensors and devices to enhance leisure welfare, health, and care functions for seniors, and provide customized programs using smart devices. Reflecting the voices of seniors who find it difficult to operate digital devices, one or two centers will be piloted this year, with plans to gradually expand operations.

Improvement of Community Center Programs

Seongdong-gu currently operates a "Senior Model Training Course" for seniors. This unique program helps seniors become the stars of the runway, realize their hidden dreams of becoming fashion models, and support active social participation.

Furthermore, starting this year, the district will operate a "Visiting Community Center Program" linking five regional senior welfare centers with 163 community centers, allowing seniors to enjoy excellent programs from the welfare centers at their local community centers. In addition to existing specialized and touring programs such as gardening, singing and exercise classes, and dementia prevention programs, a 50 million KRW budget from public-private-academic cooperative governance will support customized programs for each community center.

Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, stated, "Seongdong-gu is committed to enabling seniors to live healthy and vibrant lives for a long time in familiar residential areas through community-based aging in place. We will strive to make community centers a lifelong companion facility that is more convenient, safe, and fun, serving as a long-standing playground for seniors rooted in Seongdong-gu."