Free for Low-Income Groups, Others Must Bear Transportation Costs
Proactive Policy Response to Prepare for Super-Aged Society
Seoul Eunpyeong-gu (District Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) announced on the 6th that starting this month, it will expand the 'Hospital Companion Service' for elderly residents with mobility difficulties regardless of income status. However, low-income elderly residents will receive both companion fees and transportation costs free of charge, while others must cover transportation costs themselves.
Since February, the district has been implementing the 'Elderly Hospital Companion Assistance Project' targeting low-income groups. Due to high user satisfaction and increased general inquiries, the service provision will be expanded.
The Elderly Hospital Companion Assistance Project is a campaign pledged during the 8th local government term, where care personnel visit the homes of low-income elderly residents and accompany them to hospitals located in the northwestern part of Seoul, assisting with reception, payment, and monitoring to support health recovery.
Additionally, the district signed a business agreement with Maven Plus to assist elderly residents using wheelchairs living in residences without elevators. They plan to safely provide bed-to-bed service using wheelchair stair lifts and dedicated vehicles.
Furthermore, the district has abolished the 120,000 KRW per person limit on transportation service costs for low-income elderly residents, allowing those who have exhausted their limits to receive additional support. In cooperation with public health centers, they will identify and connect elderly residents aged 65 who have missed health checkups to aid in their health recovery.
The expanded hospital companion service operates on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and can be used by making a reservation via phone at the Eunpyeong Senior Welfare Center.
A district official stated, “We plan to deploy additional companion personnel through the Eunpyeong Senior Club,” adding, “We will continue to actively identify eligible individuals through public-private cooperation and connect them to services.”
District Mayor Kim Mi-kyung said, “No elderly resident with mobility difficulties in Eunpyeong-gu needs to struggle alone to visit hospitals,” and added, “With this expansion, we will provide safe services and eliminate blind spots in hospital companion care.”
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