Transportation Support Up to 30,000 KRW per Month for Seniors Aged 65 and Over to Enhance Mobility
Operation of '1000 Won' Senior Healthcare Centers Equipped with Bathhouses and Health Promotion Rooms
Visiting Bath Support for Mobility-Impaired Seniors, Opening of 'Senior Club' Dedicated Senior Job Agency, etc.
Jung-gu, Seoul (Mayor Kim Gil-seong) has been selected as the “2024 Outstanding Autonomous District Contributing to Senior Welfare” by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in celebration of the 52nd Parents' Day. Jung-gu ranks third among Seoul’s 25 districts with a senior population ratio of 21.1%. The district was highly praised for steadily implementing unique senior welfare policies that reflect the local characteristics and the needs of the elderly, distinguishing itself from other districts.
Seoul’s First Senior Transportation Expense Support
Reflecting the characteristics of Jung-gu, located in the old downtown area of Seoul with many steep hills, the district provides transportation expense support up to 30,000 KRW per month on an actual cost basis to all seniors aged 65 and over.
Unlike most local governments that limit support to bus fares, Jung-gu supports fares for all buses including city buses, village buses, and intercity buses, as well as Seoul (licensed) taxi fares, effectively facilitating seniors’ mobility.
Analysis of user statistics for the “Senior Transportation Expense Support Project,” which has been operating since November last year, shows that as of the end of April, 18,948 residents aged 65 and over in Jung-gu?73.1% of the senior population?applied for transportation expense support.
The average usage per person increased significantly from 12,350 KRW in November last year to 15,300 KRW in February, indicating not only improved mobility for seniors but also increased participation in social activities.
Compared to other local governments with ongoing transportation support policies that have application rates between 30% and 60%, Jung-gu’s high application rate in a short period is evaluated as a successful establishment of the system.
Senior Healthcare Center Available for ‘1,000 KRW’
Sindang-dong in Jung-gu has many vulnerable elderly residents. Reflecting this local characteristic, the district opened a Senior Healthcare Center equipped with a bathhouse and a health promotion room in Sindang-dong in December last year.
Seniors aged 65 and over residing in Jung-gu can use the center by joining the Yaksu Senior Welfare Center and making a reservation each month in advance. The fee is 1,000 KRW for the bathhouse, the lowest among local government-operated senior bathhouses, and 15,000 KRW per month for the health promotion room.
As of the end of April 2024, a total of 5,711 seniors used the bathhouse and 1,943 used the health promotion room. A satisfaction survey showed that 97% of users were satisfied, recognizing it as an excellent senior welfare facility.
Bathing Support for Mobility-Impaired Seniors
The “Bathing Support Project for Mobility-Impaired Seniors,” operated by Jung-gu since July 2023, is a welfare service that fills the blind spots of existing systems.
The target beneficiaries are seniors aged 65 and over residing in Jung-gu who do not receive long-term care grades or disability activity support services, and those who have difficulty performing daily activities due to illness or surgery.
Two care workers form a team to visit the homes of eligible seniors and provide safe bathing services. If the home lacks bathing facilities, a mobile bathing vehicle is used to provide the service.
As of the end of April 2024, a total of 190 bathing services have been provided, delivering close-contact care services.
Additionally, the district runs the “Senior Nutrition Plus” project, providing monthly voucher points of 100,000 KRW to 14,574 seniors (as of April 2024) including basic livelihood security recipients, near-poverty groups, and basic pension recipients aged 65 and over.
This allows seniors facing financial difficulties to use points at local supermarkets, restaurants, and agricultural, livestock, and fishery product stores, helping improve their diet and nutritional status.
The district is also actively supporting job programs, which are the most reliable means for stable senior living.
The “Seoul Jung-gu Senior Club,” opened on April 8, provides employment education and counseling for seniors and focuses on discovering customized jobs to help seniors who want to work find employment.
Mayor Kim Gil-seong of Jung-gu said, “The happiness of seniors is the happiness of Jung-gu. Since one in five residents of Jung-gu is a senior, we will do our best to provide care, job opportunities, and convenience services so that seniors can live comfortably and healthily in their later years.”
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