Dongdaemun District Fully Mobilizes Summer Welfare for Seniors

Dining Table Hygiene Inspections at Senior Centers to Prevent Food Poisoning
Operation of Cooling Centers and Nighttime Safety Accommodations

Dongdaemun District in Seoul has launched a comprehensive "summer welfare response" initiative to ensure the well-being of seniors by providing thorough support for their meals, rest areas, and even nighttime safety, ahead of the full onset of the heatwave season. This year, the criteria for operating cooling centers have changed, expanding dedicated spaces for seniors and introducing accommodations for nighttime protection, thereby establishing a more robust protection system.

To prevent food poisoning during the summer and to create a healthy dietary environment, the district will begin hygiene inspections related to lunch provision at all 138 senior centers in the area starting at the end of this month. Dongdaemun District has been supporting stable meals for seniors through the "Morakmorak" program, which provides lunch five days a week at senior centers. This hygiene inspection is an additional measure to ensure safety at the dining table.

Lee Pilhyung, mayor of Dongdaemun District Office, visiting a senior center in the district. Provided by Dongdaemun District Office.

The inspections will be conducted in cooperation with the Dongdaemun branch of the Korean Senior Citizens Association and senior center supporters. Every step of the meal service process?including leftover food disposal after serving, cleanliness of cooking utensils, hygiene of countertops and sinks, and the storage status of refrigerated food?will be meticulously checked using a standardized checklist.

In particular, inspection forms and hygiene notices have been created with larger text and easy-to-understand language so that seniors can easily comprehend them, and these will be distributed accordingly. Supporters will post these notices in frequently seen locations, such as refrigerators or countertops, to encourage the daily practice of hygiene rules. Additionally, the district is directly visiting senior centers that provide lunch fewer than five times a week to promote expanded meal services, thereby strengthening support so that more seniors can enjoy healthy meals more frequently.

The operation of cooling centers to respond to heatwaves has also begun in earnest. The district has designated 54 cooling centers, and notably, this year introduces "senior safety accommodations" to protect seniors during nighttime heatwaves.

With the revision of cooling center operation standards this year, senior centers and welfare centers have been converted into dedicated cooling centers for seniors. Since June, the district has designated a total of 54 locations?including 50 senior centers and 4 welfare centers?as cooling centers, operating them on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. These centers are equipped with air conditioning and emergency supplies.

Improvements to the environment of these centers have also been proactively carried out. Since April, a comprehensive inspection of all senior centers designated as cooling centers has been conducted, resulting in the repair or replacement of outdated air conditioners and the sequential cleaning of air conditioning units to create a comfortable environment.

For seniors at risk of exposure to heatwaves at night, "safety accommodations" will also be operated. From July to September, during periods when heatwave advisories are in effect, free lodging will be provided to seniors who are basic livelihood security recipients or belong to the lower-income bracket. Eligible individuals will be selected based on recommendations from local community centers.

The accommodations will be available from 6 p.m. to 11 a.m. the following day, with all costs fully covered by the district. Seniors with mobility difficulties or severe disabilities may be accompanied by a guardian. Three hotels within the district?Beautique Nine Hotel (Sinseol-dong, Wangsan-ro 28), The Recenz Hotel (Jangan-dong, Cheonho-daero 383), and JN Park Hotel (Imun-dong, Imun-ro 192)?have been designated as safety accommodations and will be operated accordingly.

Lee Pilhyung, mayor of Dongdaemun District Office, stated, "Beating the heat requires not only cool spaces but also warm attention," adding, "We will do our utmost with care and consideration so that seniors can spend the summer in good health."