130 Single-Person Middle-Aged Households at Risk of Solitary Death and Isolation Selected for Welfare Check Service Starting in May... Weekly Side Dish Delivery and Welfare Check with Immediate Resident Center Contact for Unreceived Items
Gangbuk-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Soon-hee) announced that it will carry out the ‘Giwonchan’ project, which provides side dishes to support the daily recovery and social network formation of single-person households at risk of lonely death who refuse welfare checks, from this month until October.
In 2022, single-person households in Gangbuk-gu accounted for 131,275 households (37%) of the total population and have been increasing annually. Among them, middle-aged (40-64 years) households accounted for 51,134 households (39%), and elderly households accounted for 14,959 people (11%). According to a 2021 survey on single-person households conducted by Seoul City, single-person households find it difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle due to irregular meals, exercise, and sleep, and middle-aged single-person households in their 40s and 50s tend to neglect health management as income decreases, indicating a need for dietary improvement.
The ‘Giwonchan’ project promoted by the district provides side dishes once a week to middle-aged single-person households at risk of lonely death who refuse welfare checks and to isolated and reclusive households, aiming to check on the recipients’ well-being and help improve their dietary habits.
Before the full-scale project, the district selected a total of 130 single-person households as support targets earlier this year. The selection criteria included middle-aged single-person households at risk of lonely death (aged 40-64, within 100% median income) and isolated or reclusive households refusing welfare checks (including reclusive loners).
During the side dish provision period, each neighborhood office will conduct welfare checks via phone calls and visits, and after the project ends, customized welfare services will be linked to ensure follow-up management.
Welfare checks for single-person households at risk of lonely death are conducted weekly by the side dish manufacturing and delivery companies during delivery. If a recipient is found not to have received the side dishes, the case is immediately reported to the local community service center, which promptly conducts welfare checks by phone or visit. If difficulties arise due to deteriorating health, services such as Care SOS support and hospital accompaniment for single-person households will be connected.
Mr. Kim from Suyu-dong, selected as a beneficiary this year, said, “Living alone, I used to eat only kimchi with rice every day, so I look forward to being able to eat various side dishes. I am so grateful that the district even takes care of my health.”
Lee Soon-hee, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “Policy consideration and support are important to address the risks that may arise in the lives of middle-aged single-person households,” adding, “We will operate a strong support system to protect single-person households from social isolation and the risk of lonely death and make Gangbuk-gu a district that empowers the lives of single-person households.”
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