Seoul City Adds 8 More Care SOS Centers... Expanded to Middle-Aged 50 and Older

Operating in 13 Autonomous Districts from July This Year
Care Managers and Customized Care Plans for Citizens with Median Income Below 85%

A care manager from the Care SOS Center is visiting an elderly person's home to establish a plan for the necessary services. (Provided by Seoul City)

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] Seoul's 'Care SOS Center' announced on the 20th that it has surpassed 10,000 cases of care service provision within five months of implementation. This achievement is about 1.3 times higher than the original target set by the city, which plans to expand the center from the 5 districts where it was piloted to 13 districts.

Starting from July this year, centers will open in 8 districts, and middle-aged households aged 50 and above will be newly included as eligible recipients. Previously, the main users were those aged 65 and older and people with disabilities. The cost support target will also be expanded from low-income groups to citizens with incomes up to 85% of the median income.

The Care SOS Center provides customized services to any citizens in need of care, including everyday assistance such as hospital accompaniment, in cases of sudden illness or accidents requiring urgent household and nursing care.

Installed and operated within community service centers, 'care managers' composed of social welfare and nursing public officials are assigned. When applying via phone or visit, the care manager personally visits to establish a care plan. Services can be customized through specialized public service institutions linked with the center.

In 2021, the city plans to fully expand the service to all 25 districts. Park Won-soon, Mayor of Seoul, said, "We will develop this into a universal care welfare hub where anyone in need of care throughout Seoul can receive care services without restrictions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.