Yangcheon District Combines Resident Care Team and AI Technology to Prevent Solitary Deaths

Welfare Checks... 24-Hour Monitoring with IoT

Yangcheon District in Seoul (District Mayor Lee Kijae) has launched an initiative to prevent solitary deaths by combining neighborly care with artificial intelligence (AI) technology for welfare check systems. On January 20, the district announced that it is operating the "Our Neighborhood Care Team," composed of local residents, along with an AI-based "Smart Welfare Check Service" to monitor vulnerable groups around the clock.

The "Our Neighborhood Care Team" is receiving safety training. Provided by Yangcheon District.

The "Our Neighborhood Care Team" consists of 43 residents who are well-acquainted with local circumstances and, starting from January 19, have been assigned to 16 neighborhoods. They conduct regular welfare checks through phone calls and home visits for households at risk of solitary death, particularly those living in multi-family housing, studio apartments, and goshiwon (small, affordable housing units).

In one instance, Choi, a member of the Care Team in Sinwol-dong, detected a crisis while calling a care recipient for a welfare check. Noticing that the individual was speaking unusually and reported feeling unwell, Choi immediately visited the home to assess the situation, called emergency services (119), and arranged for urgent transport to the hospital. Thanks to this swift response, the individual's life was saved.

In Sinjeong-dong, an elderly resident with mobility difficulties responded to an AI automated call by saying, "I am sick and want to have surgery." The district quickly connected the individual with a hospital and provided support for surgery, medical expenses, and accompaniment services.

This year, the district plans to expand welfare checks beyond high- and medium-risk groups to include low-risk groups, specifically single men in their 50s and 60s, in order to minimize blind spots in care coverage.

The AI-based "Smart Welfare Check Service" uses AI and Internet of Things (IoT) technology to detect and analyze daily life data such as electricity usage, mobile phone call records, and changes in lighting. When an abnormal signal is detected, a notification is sent to the responsible staff member. An additional welfare check is then conducted via AI automated call, and, if necessary, immediate on-site response is initiated.

Lee Kijae, Mayor of Yangcheon District, stated, "Solitary deaths can be fully prevented if we do not overlook even the smallest signs in daily life. By combining the attentive care of the Our Neighborhood Care Team with AI technology, we will build a seamless safety net so that no resident is left alone in danger."