Yangcheon-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Gijae) is expanding its support for ‘Lunch Assistants at Senior Centers.’ As part of measures for a healthy and happy old age, the district has been expanding the provision of lunch five days a week at senior centers since last year, linking lunch assistant positions to ‘senior citizen jobs.’
Yangcheon-gu Mayor Lee Gi-jae supporting meal distribution at Mokdong Comprehensive Welfare Center Senior Dining Hall last year. Provided by Yangcheon-gu.
In particular, this year, the number of participants as ‘Lunch Assistants at Senior Centers’ will be significantly increased from 120 to 229. In addition to the activity allowance of 290,000 KRW paid for 30 hours of work per month, an additional monthly allowance of 100,000 KRW will be provided. The plan is to improve treatment through the introduction of the ‘Yangcheon-type Lunch Assistant at Senior Centers.’
The eligibility criteria have also been relaxed. Previously limited to basic pension recipients aged 65 and older, now residents of Yangcheon-gu aged 60 to 64 in the lower-income bracket and those aged 60 and above can participate. Residents wishing to participate can inquire at the Korea Senior Citizens Association Yangcheon-gu branch and apply in person.
The district expects that providing lunch five days a week and offering assistant jobs at senior centers will help senior citizens consume sufficient nutrition for a healthy old age and promote their social activities.
As lunch provision expands, it is anticipated that seniors will visit senior centers more frequently, increasing social interaction and helping with psychological stability, including the prevention of depression.
The response at senior centers has been positive. According to monitoring results of the five-day lunch program conducted at the end of last year, positive feedback such as “The variety of ingredients has increased” and “It is good to be able to eat meat and snacks frequently” was predominant.
The district plans to gradually enable senior centers that have not wished to expand lunch provision due to staff shortages or their own circumstances to participate in meal provision.
Mayor Lee Gijae said, “I hope that the expansion of five-day lunch provision and support for lunch assistants at senior centers will greatly help improve seniors’ health and activate their social participation. We will continue to do our best to operate senior centers so that seniors can spend their old age comfortably and safely in a pleasant environment.”
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