Seongdong-gu Focuses on Health Management with ‘Hyosarang Health Doctor’ to Prepare for Heatwave

From May to September, direct home visits to vulnerable groups such as elderly, disabled, and chronic patients by doctors and village nurses... Checking health status and well-being, providing heatwave response tips, nearby cooling shelter information, and rapid connection to necessary resources in emergencies

Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeong Won-oh) announced that it will provide focused care by visiting the homes of vulnerable groups such as the elderly, disabled, and those with chronic illnesses to check their health status and well-being to help them have a healthy summer.

As part of the ‘Hyosarang Health Primary Care Physician Project,’ a home health care initiative that Seongdong-gu has been leading since 2017, the district is intensively managing the health of elderly individuals who are vulnerable.

‘Hyosarang Health Primary Care Physician’ is a project where health primary care physicians and village nurses visit the homes of elderly residents aged 65 and older and other vulnerable groups in the community to provide chronic disease treatment and medical consultations, measure and manage key health indicators such as blood pressure and blood sugar, and offer services for preventing elderly depression and dementia. This project plays a crucial role as the frontline of health management for the elderly in Seongdong-gu.

From May, before the heatwave season begins, until the end of September, Hyosarang health primary care physicians and village nurses visit the homes of vulnerable groups to check their living and health conditions, provide health management education to prepare for heatwaves, explain how to respond during heatwaves, and guide them to nearby cooling shelters. They also conduct regular phone check-ins and quickly connect necessary resources in case of emergencies.

As of the end of June, specialized personnel including Hyosarang health primary care physicians, village nurses, nutritionists, and exercise specialists have conducted 1,632 visits and phone health management sessions for elderly living alone, and 1,885 visits and phone sessions for disabled and chronic disease patients.

At senior centers and other facilities used by the elderly, they provide home health care, education on heatwave response behaviors, and distribute items to prepare for heatwaves such as hand fans, sun umbrellas, and cool scarves.

Jeong Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, “Since vulnerable groups face greater difficulties during heatwaves, Hyosarang health primary care physicians and village nurses visit them directly to carefully monitor their condition,” adding, “We will continue to spare no effort to support vulnerable groups so that they can live healthy and safe daily lives.”