Yangcheon-gu Transforms Senior Center Operations with Automation...Nation's First QR Code Management System

Pilot Introduction of 10 Smart Community Centers: Transition from Manual Processing to QR Code Access for Asset and Budget Management, Enhancing Innovation and Convenience

Yangcheon-gu (Mayor Lee Gi-jae) announced that it will lead the digital innovation of senior citizen representative welfare facilities by establishing the nation’s first “Senior Center Operation Automation System” using QR codes, and will begin pilot operation targeting 10 smart senior centers in the region.

The average age of the presidents and general managers responsible for operating 156 senior centers in Yangcheon-gu is 80 years old. Since the elderly management staff handle most tasks such as user status registration, asset and facility management, and budget settlement manually, it is time-consuming and labor-intensive, causing significant inefficiency and a continuous need for improvement. In particular, since operating expenses are settled using paper printouts, digitalization of the operation system to ensure transparent budget administration has become urgent.

Accordingly, in the era of digital transformation, the district developed the “Senior Center Operation Automation System” to allow seniors to enjoy the benefits of smart devices and support more efficient senior center management. The core foundation of the system, the mobile QR code, offers the advantage that seniors can easily access the operation system with a single smartphone scan without complicated procedures.

Senior center operators can conveniently handle tasks such as ▲asset management ▲durability management of goods ▲maintenance requests for goods ▲budget (operating expenses · membership fees) settlement ▲cultural program inquiries ▲situation monitoring ▲and notice management by accessing the system with the QR code assigned to each facility.

Immediately after the system’s introduction, the hassle of having to call every time during working hours to request distribution and maintenance of senior center goods was resolved. Now, they can access the system anytime via the QR code and apply for goods-related requests with just one click, making asset management at senior centers much more convenient.

Moreover, the process has been greatly simplified so that operating expense settlements can be made by registering photos taken with a smartphone camera instead of paper receipt evidence. Additionally, various senior leisure programs operated at senior centers and welfare facilities can be easily checked via smartphone, and vivid on-site opinions can be collected through satisfaction surveys linked to the system. Furthermore, internal lighting at senior centers can be controlled via connected smartphones, which is expected to significantly contribute to reducing management costs.

Before the full-scale introduction of the system, the district conducted preliminary training on the use of the automation system in March for senior center operators unfamiliar with digital technology, and deployed 17 participants from the Seoul City Companion Single Job and Reward Job programs on-site to assist smooth adaptation.

The district plans to carefully analyze the system’s operational performance and consider expanding its introduction to the remaining 146 senior centers.

Lee Gi-jae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, said, “The introduction of the ‘Senior Center Operation Automation System’ is an important first step for Yangcheon-gu to simultaneously pursue senior welfare improvement and administrative efficiency through digital innovation.” He added, “In particular, this system goes beyond simply enhancing administrative convenience; it helps seniors become familiar with using digital devices and provides opportunities to connect more closely with society. We will do our best to ensure its activation.”