Dobong-gu Expands Healthy Meals and Job Opportunities for Seniors

'Pilot Project to Expand Senior Center Lunch Support to 5 Days a Week'
Additional 50,000 KRW Activity Fee for Helper Seniors, Total 340,000 KRW

Dobong-gu (District Mayor Oh Eon-seok) is focusing on senior welfare by expanding the lunch support program for senior centers to five days a week and increasing the number of lunch helper jobs at senior centers to the highest among Seoul’s autonomous districts.

The district previously expanded the lunch support program for senior centers from 1-3 days to 5 days a week. Currently, 63 out of 137 senior centers in the area are participating, with an average of 18 seniors using the service daily.

Seniors using the senior centers have expressed high satisfaction. A senior using the A Senior Center in Ssangmun-dong said, “It was difficult to prepare meals, but I am glad to be able to have such a balanced meal.”

In connection with this, the number of lunch helper senior jobs at senior centers has also been significantly increased, from 180 to 360. This expansion is the largest among Seoul’s autonomous districts.

Senior lunch helpers at senior centers perform roles such as food preparation. The district currently provides an activity allowance of 290,000 KRW for 30 hours of work per month, plus an additional 50,000 KRW considering the number of working days and intensity of duties.

In addition, various other senior support projects are underway. Currently, under the Dobong-type senior job project, the ‘Silver Clean Task Force’ is operating to clean subway stations and back alleys. As a welfare project, longevity congratulatory items are provided to seniors aged 100 or older who have been continuously registered residents in Dobong-gu for more than one year. On October 8, a longevity cultural festival was held for seniors aged 90 and above and their families. As a health welfare project, free shingles vaccinations will be expanded to all seniors aged 65 and older starting next year.

Oh Eon-seok, Mayor of Dobong-gu, said, “We are preparing and implementing measures early in anticipation of entering a super-aged society. Along with the projects currently underway, the district will analyze the welfare needs of seniors and develop and implement new policies and projects.”