Seocho-gu Approved for Membership in the WHO Age-friendly Cities International Network

Nationwide First Kiosk Education and 'Smart Senior Project', New Concept Complex Space 'Neutinamu Shelter', Operation of 'Open Senior Centers' and 'Filial Piety Bus', Health Care with 'Filial Piety Nurses' and 'Massage Services', 'Dementia Relief Center', Preparation for 'Seocho-type Complex Welfare Town'... Three-Year Action Plan (8 Areas, 22 Detailed Goals) Established under the Vision of 'Seocho Where Aging Is Enjoyable'

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] Seocho-gu (Mayor Eunhee Cho) has been approved for membership in the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities.

The Global Network of Age-friendly Cities and Communities is a project initiated by WHO in 2007, aiming to create cities equipped with policies, infrastructure, and services that enable older adults to live healthy and active social lives.

Currently, major international cities such as New York in the United States and London in the United Kingdom are members. Membership is granted after a comprehensive review of senior support programs, social participation status, and future plans for contributing to the global network.

Seocho-gu has proactively prepared for the rapidly advancing aging population and the resulting changes in the local community. Although the population aged 65 and older in the district currently accounts for 13.3% of the total population, which is lower than Seoul’s 15%, the district has carefully prepared without overlooking even small changes in the community.

Seocho’s forward-looking senior policies are leading the “national standard.” A representative project is the “Smart Senior Project,” initiated by Seocho and leading the nation.

The district has established five “Smart Senior IT Experience Zones” to ensure seniors are not left behind in the rapidly changing IT environment. Various programs are offered, including dementia prevention classes with robots (Brain Strengthening Classes), YouTuber training, and virtual reality (VR) experiences.

Additionally, Seocho was the first in the nation to develop kiosk education content independently, providing digital education for practical daily tasks such as menu ordering, ticket issuing, and reservations.

Alongside this, in line with the paradigm shift of the 100-year life era, Seocho created a new concept senior-exclusive complex space called “Neutinamu Shelter.” It provides one-stop cultural, leisure, and health services for seniors, including the younger senior generation, effectively serving as a “Filial Piety Center.” Aging senior centers have been transformed into open senior centers through interior and exterior facility improvements and customized programs. The “Filial Piety Bus” assists seniors in traveling to these facilities.

Chronic diseases such as dementia and metabolic syndrome among seniors are carefully managed close to their neighborhoods. A total of 33 filial nurses visit homes to manage seniors’ health, including blood pressure and blood sugar control, while filial massage services for visually impaired seniors at senior centers help alleviate pain.

Since 2017, the Dementia Safety Center, which installed the nation’s first customized dementia patient model house called the Dementia Safety House, has been easing dementia concerns from diagnosis to detailed examinations.

The district is also meticulously preparing the “Seocho-type Complex Welfare Town,” which includes an open senior nursing home, health branch office, library, and sports facilities accessible to various generations.

Going forward, Seocho will accelerate efforts to become “Seocho, where aging is joyful,” aiming to make the district a better place for seniors to live.

Based on the “Ordinance on the Creation of an Age-friendly City” enacted last February, and the results of the “Age-friendliness Survey” and “Academic Research for the Creation of an Age-friendly City,” a three-year action plan was established, consisting of 22 detailed goals across eight areas. Tasks to be promoted include creating a barrier-free (BF) environment, improving walking disabilities, expanding age-friendly housing, increasing social activity opportunities, enhancing intergenerational exchange, developing senior-tailored jobs, providing digital exclusion prevention education, and strengthening health services and community care systems. From priority selection to project implementation, the action plan will be based on “communication administration with residents,” ensuring policies that residents can feel in their daily lives.

Mayor Eunhee Cho stated, “Seocho-gu, which has made various efforts for seniors, has been recognized by WHO. We will continue to work harder to make Seocho an age-friendly city where both seniors and residents can live well.”

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