Gwanak-gu Expands Senior Welfare Services for a Happier Life...Details?

41 Billion KRW Budget Increase for Senior Centers Operation, Job Expansion, and Senior Hall Construction Fund... Promoting 'Senior Center Revitalization' with Increased Operating Costs, Improved Environment, and Expanded Programs... Providing 'Customized Jobs' to 3,076 Seniors to Enhance Social Participation Opportunities

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) is set to actively promote the ‘2020 Senior Welfare Project’ aimed at enhancing the happy lives and social participation opportunities for the elderly.

The district has expanded its total budget by 4.1 billion KRW compared to last year, targeting a healthy and happy life for seniors aged 65 and older, who make up about 14.6% of the total population. The budget includes △ revitalization of senior centers operation (400 million KRW) △ creation of customized jobs for seniors (1.7 billion KRW) △ senior center construction fund (2 billion KRW), among others.

First, to make senior centers, which are happy spaces for the elderly, more comfortable and lively, the monthly operating expenses provided to all senior centers in the area (except one legal senior center) for food and program operation costs will be increased by 20,000 KRW.

The budget for purchasing old equipment and repairing or renovating aging facilities has also been increased by 170 million KRW from last year, totaling 340 million KRW. In March, one massage chair will be provided to each of the 113 senior centers to create a more comfortable resting environment.

The ‘Senior Center Cleaning Helpers,’ who provide jobs to economically disadvantaged seniors while maintaining clean senior center environments, will increase by 83 people from last year, with a total of 133 helpers active in each senior center.

To transform senior centers into vibrant leisure spaces rather than simple resting places, the average frequency of various programs such as physical exercise and singing classes currently operated at each senior center will be expanded from 1?2 times per week to 2?3 times per week.

Additionally, idle spaces such as multipurpose rooms in senior centers will be opened to residents. Newly built and reconstructed senior centers will be developed as multi-use facilities for residents, fostering spaces where three generations?seniors, children, and general residents?can communicate together.

The senior center construction fund, which will be used for future senior center buildings, will see an additional 2 billion KRW set aside this year, bringing the total fund to approximately 4 billion KRW so far.

Alongside this, a total of 3,076 seniors will be provided with customized jobs through the senior employment project. This aims to expand social participation opportunities for seniors with working ability and to share their knowledge and experience with the local community.

With a budget of 10.5 billion KRW, increased by 1.7 billion KRW from last year, the project includes four types: ▲ public activity type 2,282 people ▲ market type 449 people ▲ social service type 183 people ▲ dispatched personnel type 162 people.

Seniors will continue their activities in a total of 58 project groups at 10 locations including the district office and Gwanak Senior Welfare Center, engaging in tasks such as gutter cleaning helpers, meal helpers, and support for vulnerable groups through Nono Care. Recruitment for the dispatched personnel type is ongoing, while other types have completed selection.

Since September last year, Mayor Park Jun-hee conducted a three-month grand tour of all 113 senior centers, personally meeting over 4,400 seniors and listening to 360 cases of civil complaints and difficulties, demonstrating a field-centered communication administration.

Mayor Park Jun-hee stated, “In this era of longevity, we will actively promote various policies for healthier and happier lives of seniors,” adding, “We will listen carefully to every opinion with a humble attitude serving the elderly and strive even more to enhance senior welfare.”

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