Pilot Project Targets 22 Individuals at High Risk of Solitary Death
Non-Contact Biometric Sensors Enable 24-Hour Health Monitoring
Yongsan District Expands Smart Care Services for Vulnerable Residents
Yongsan District in Seoul (headed by Mayor Park Heeyoung) has launched a pilot smart care project, 'Bangbanggotgot CareOn(ON),' targeting households at risk of solitary death starting this month.
Yongsan District started the pilot project of the smart care service for solitary deaths, 'Bangbanggotgot CareOn(ON),' from this month. Provided by Yongsan District.
This project is being implemented for 22 individuals identified as high-risk for solitary death in Huam-dong and Cheongpa-dong. Each household can have up to three contactless biometric radar sensors installed. These sensors monitor and analyze biometric signals and movement changes in real time, 24 hours a day, within a range of 2 to 5 meters in areas such as bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms, and entrances. The sensors detect heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, falls, presence at home, and activity levels. If any abnormal signs that differ from usual patterns are detected, an emergency alert is sent to the local community center.
The community center staff immediately check the emergency alert and contact the individual by phone or visit their home to check on their well-being and health status. If necessary, they coordinate additional services such as hospital transfers, aiming to prevent solitary deaths and address gaps in the care system.
This pilot project targets 22 households selected based on factors such as illness, disability, mobility issues, and risk of isolation. Households with pets were excluded to ensure the accuracy of biometric signal analysis.
A district official stated, "Bangbanggotgot CareOn(ON) is differentiated from existing care services in that it allows for non-face-to-face monitoring and observation of the health status of high-risk individuals 24 hours a day, 365 days a year," adding, "We will evaluate the effectiveness and practicality of the project and consider expanding it."
In addition, Yongsan District is working to prevent and manage solitary deaths through a variety of smart care services, including the Anbu Dolbomi program (well-being check-ins), the Doodream project (delivery of health drinks), the Bangtalchul Supporters group (social network building), solitary death belongings organization, smart plugs, and AI well-being checks.
Mayor Park Heeyoung said, "As the number of single-person households in vulnerable groups increases, science and technology are playing a major role in addressing gaps in the care system," and added, "We will continue to do our utmost to build a more robust community welfare network so that no one is left behind."
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