Gwangjin-gu Takes Care of Mental Health for Elderly Living Alone

120 Elderly Living Alone Encouraged to Complete Weekly Tasks Over 4 Weeks from April to May
Psychological Stability and Self-Esteem Boosted Through Achievements Like Growing Sprouts and Coloring Book Kits

Health Consultation

Gwangjin-gu (District Mayor Kim Kyung-ho) is operating the ‘Bom Dream’ program to fill the health care gap for elderly people living alone.

The number of elderly people living alone, which has been increasing every year, reached 13,657 as of December 2023, accounting for 24.2% of the elderly population in Gwangjin-gu. The rate of depression experience among elderly people living alone is relatively higher compared to the general elderly population, requiring support such as mental health promotion and social network formation.

Accordingly, Gwangjin-gu will officially start operating the ‘Bom Dream’ program, which enhances healing and self-esteem for elderly people living alone, for two months starting in April.

The target group consists of 120 elderly people living alone who were identified as being at risk of depression or suicide through depression screening conducted by visiting nurses in each neighborhood, and the program will run for four weeks.

Participants will be provided with sprout growing kits and coloring book packages, and during the four weeks of the program, visiting nurses will monitor them at least once a week through phone calls or home visits. By encouraging the completion of weekly tasks with praise and encouragement, the program helps provide psychological stability through a sense of accomplishment and offers companionship through health consultations.

The weekly tasks are selected to be easy to achieve, such as growing bean sprouts, radish sprouts, and barley sprouts, allowing participants to experience emotional bonding through nurturing plants that grow quickly. In the final fourth week, participants will practice ‘setting a meal for myself’ and ‘praising myself’ using the sprouts they have grown.

After the program ends, participants can continue to receive customized visiting health care services according to their health condition. For those with severe depression, if necessary, they will be connected with counseling specialists or mental health welfare centers to receive professional help.

Kim Kyung-ho, Mayor of Gwangjin-gu, said, “I hope the ‘Bom Dream’ program, which can take care of the mental health of elderly people living alone, will be a great help to them,” and added, “We will strive harder to promote customized health care projects to ensure there is no gap in health care for the elderly.”