Gwanak-gu Begins Accepting Applications for Customized Elderly Care Services

Resumption of Direct Services Such as New Applications and Visit Confirmations Following Transition to Everyday Social Distancing...Enhanced Services with Increased Service Recipients and Providers in Quality and Quantity

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwanak-gu (Mayor Park Jun-hee) will resume accepting new applications for the ‘Customized Care Service for the Elderly,’ which had been temporarily suspended due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, starting from the 12th.

The Customized Care Service for the Elderly is a demand-oriented, tailored service project targeting vulnerable elderly individuals who have difficulty with daily activities. It provides ▲ daily living support ▲ life education and social connection programs ▲ linkage to private sponsorship services.

The district had minimized direct service provision such as home visits to prevent infection risks among the elderly, who are vulnerable to COVID-19, and to prevent community transmission, thus postponing new applications originally scheduled for March. However, in line with the transition to ‘distancing in daily life,’ it has decided to resume new applications and direct services including home visits.

Additionally, infection control officers will be designated at each service provider institution. They will strictly adhere to infection prevention guidelines such as COVID-19 prevention education, provision of masks and hand sanitizers, and conducting daily temperature checks, while providing services such as housekeeping and individual counseling.

Along with this, the district plans to provide services to approximately 2,383 people, an increase of about 30% compared to last year. The number of service personnel will also increase 2.5 times from the existing 59 to 148, striving to provide improved quality and quantity of services.

The existing service providers have been consolidated, and one representative service institution has been designated in each of the four zones (△ Sillim Comprehensive Social Welfare Center △ Seongmin Comprehensive Social Welfare Center △ Woori Sai Home Long-term Care Center △ Gwanak Senior Welfare Center). Depending on the situation of the recipients, services will be classified into four categories: ▲ general care group ▲ intensive care group ▲ post-management group ▲ specialized services, providing customized care accordingly.

Eligible applicants are those aged 65 or older who are recipients of the National Basic Livelihood Security, near-poverty class, or basic pension recipients, excluding those already receiving similar care services such as long-term care services for the elderly. Applicants or their representatives (with the recipient’s ID) can apply by visiting or calling the local community service center in their residential area with identification.

The application period is until December 31, and approximately 800 additional recipients will be recruited on a first-come, first-served basis, in addition to the existing 1,600 recipients.

Mayor Park Jun-hee said, “Since there have been many difficulties in providing care services for the elderly due to COVID-19, we will do our best to care for vulnerable elderly people while strictly adhering to quarantine and prevention guidelines.”

For more details, please visit the Bokjiro website (www.bokjiro.go.kr) or contact the Gwanak-gu Office’s Senior and Youth Division.

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