Emergency Care Support for Disabled and Elderly Self-Quarantine Cases in Seoul Area

Assignment of Dedicated Agency Personnel When Existing Care Services Are Suspended Due to COVID-19

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] On the 16th, Seoul City announced that it will start "emergency home and residential care" for elderly and disabled individuals whose care services were interrupted due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

The support targets are recipients of long-term care benefits for the elderly and disability activity support benefits who were already using care services. In cases where social workers or caregivers who usually assist them are unable to provide care services due to self-quarantine or other reasons, social workers and caregivers belonging to the Seoul Social Service Institute, a dedicated social service agency in the care sector, will visit homes directly to assist with daily activities such as meals and cleaning, and support outdoor activities like grocery shopping and purchasing daily necessities.

Additionally, if elderly or disabled individuals themselves require self-quarantine due to contact with confirmed cases but have no care providers, they can be admitted to designated quarantine living facilities by Seoul City, such as the Human Resources Development Institute or the Seoul English Village Suyu Camp, to receive care services. Caregivers from the Seoul Social Service Institute also enter the quarantine facilities with them, and after following infection prevention measures such as disinfection according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare guidelines, they assist with meals, bathing, and other internal living activities.

Those wishing to be admitted to quarantine facilities can apply through their local public health center, and emergency care can be requested at the time of application.

These emergency care services provided by Seoul City can be applied for starting from the 16th, and the government and Seoul City plan to continue care services in connection with the COVID-19 response situation.

The Seoul Social Service Institute will first organize an emergency care support team centered on its own personnel to provide services, and in the future, it plans to closely cooperate with private service organizations such as the Seoul Volunteer Center and the Seoul Caregivers Association, as well as related organizations, to provide care services.

Meanwhile, the Seoul Social Service Institute is also implementing emergency care for children from dual-income families whose daycare centers have been closed due to COVID-19. It is also strengthening disinfection and quarantine at service-providing facilities such as comprehensive home care centers to prevent infectious diseases and curb their spread.

Joo Jin-woo, CEO of the Seoul Social Service Institute, said, "We will fulfill the mission of care institutions until the end of COVID-19 by building a dense welfare safety net through cooperation with private service organizations."

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