Nationwide Scorching Heat Continues... Seoul Districts on Alert to Protect Health of Elderly Living Alone and Others

Focusing Administrative Efforts on Elderly Health Management and Care

Scorching heat continues nationwide. On the 4th, Yeoju City in Gyeonggi Province recorded a high temperature of 40 degrees Celsius, the highest in five years.

As a result, deaths due to the heatwave are occurring one after another across the country, prompting Seoul’s autonomous districts to enter emergency situations. While Jungnang-gu and Mapo-gu have convened emergency meetings on heatwave countermeasures daily, Songpa-gu and others are actively taking care of the health of elderly people living alone affected by the heatwave.

Songpa-gu, with District Mayor Seo Gang-seok personally involved, takes care of elderly living alone

Focused care on 5,570 vulnerable elderly living alone urgently needing protection amid the heatwave

Seok-Suk Seo, Mayor of Songpa District (left), is visiting an elderly person's home, checking on their health condition, and having a conversation. (Photo by Songpa District Office)

Songpa-gu (District Mayor Seo Gang-seok) is implementing multifaceted administrative measures for the health management and care of elderly residents.

Seo Gang-seok, Mayor of Songpa-gu, explained, “After the rain, the increased humidity combined with the heatwave has made this summer especially difficult for many elderly people. Therefore, public officials and community leaders in each neighborhood are making every effort to check on vulnerable elderly residents at least once more to minimize heatwave damage.”

In particular, the district is focusing on caring for 5,570 vulnerable elderly living alone who urgently need protection during the heatwave.

This year, 135 customized elderly care service life support workers, along with 1,107 disaster helpers composed of community leaders and local care groups, have strengthened welfare checks on elderly living alone. As the heatwave warning continues, the frequency of welfare checks, previously conducted by phone or visits, has been increased to provide close monitoring.

Additionally, through milk delivery support, the district checks on elderly living alone three times a week and connects low-income elderly residents at risk of missing meals with meal support services to help manage their health. Last month, life support workers visited elderly living alone to provide education on heatwave response actions and emergency first aid to help them quickly respond to crisis situations caused by the heatwave and ensure their safety.

Moreover, 190 elderly cooling centers such as senior centers have been designated and operate from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Through prior inspections, 33 old cooling devices were replaced or repaired, and 66 fans were distributed. Additionally, 190 emergency first aid kits, 1,500 cooling bags, and 1,800 fans were provided. When a heatwave advisory is issued, 12 extended cooling centers remain open until 9 p.m., and one nighttime cooling center is open until 7 a.m. the following day.

An official from Seodaemun-gu Office taking care of the health of the elderly (right)

Seodaemun-gu checks on vulnerable residents with over 4,000 visits and more than 5,000 phone calls during the heatwave

130 patrols to protect homeless people... extended and nighttime operation of cooling centers

Seodaemun-gu (District Mayor Lee Seong-heon) has been implementing various heatwave countermeasures to ensure residents’ safety and health as the heatwave advisory, which began at 10 a.m. on the 24th of last month, has prolonged. The district operates 78 shade shelters, 2 mist spray devices, 6 smart shelters, 13 water facilities, and 71 cooling centers.

In particular, during heatwave advisories like the current one, 37 cooling centers extend their hours until 9 p.m. on weekdays, and 23 centers are available from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends.

During the heatwave advisory period, the district has checked on vulnerable elderly and health-compromised residents with over 4,000 visits and more than 5,000 phone calls. Additionally, as part of homeless protection activities, 130 patrols have been conducted, providing street counseling and water support.

Alongside this, to mitigate urban heat island effects, the district has carried out road watering operations over a total extended distance of 1,019 km during the advisory period. In August, the number of watering trucks and their operating frequency will be increased. Lee Seong-heon, Mayor of Seodaemun-gu, said, “During the hottest daytime hours of the heatwave advisory, please refrain from outdoor activities. We will concentrate all administrative efforts to ensure residents can spend the summer safely and healthily.”

As such, the number of Seoul autonomous districts taking health management measures for vulnerable elderly and others is gradually increasing.