Gwangjin-gu Provides Safety and Cooling Supplies and Alternative Meals to Vulnerable Elderly Households

Installation of Anti-Slip Mats and Safety Handrails in 192 Single Elderly Households... Support Provided with 26 Portable Air Conditioners, 61 Coolers, and 784 Cool Mat Kits to 871 Single Elderly Households

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Gwangjin-gu (Mayor Kim Seon-gap) provided safety and cooling supplies and alternative meals to help elderly residents stay safe and healthy indoors amid COVID-19 social distancing measures and prolonged rainy and hot weather.

First, the district installed anti-slip mats and safety handrails in 192 single elderly households living in poor environments with a high risk of indoor and outdoor falls.

The safety handrails are installed in slippery bathrooms or building staircases to help elderly residents hold onto them and move safely. The district plans to complete the installation of anti-slip mats and safety handrails in a total of 330 single elderly households by the end of this month.

Additionally, due to restrictions on senior centers and heatwave shelters caused by COVID-19, the district supported 150 cool mats and 30 fans to low-income elderly households vulnerable to heatwaves, and installed 50 portable air conditioners in cooperation with the Gwangjin Welfare Foundation.

For 871 single elderly households receiving customized elderly care services, the district provided 26 portable air conditioners, 61 air coolers, and 784 cool mat kits. When a heatwave alert is issued, 80 care workers check on the elderly to ensure they can spend the summer safely.

Along with this, as senior meal centers remain closed, alternative meals are provided to single elderly residents. The district also supports food supplies to a total of 2,500 single elderly households in the area through non-face-to-face delivery of lunch boxes, side dishes, and beverages for welfare checks, ensuring nutrition and health during the hot weather.

Mayor Kim Seon-gap said, “It is expected that vulnerable elderly people who must stay indoors due to COVID-19 and the heatwave are going through an even more difficult time this year. I hope this support, though small, will be of help, and we will continue to develop and implement detailed welfare policies that can be felt in daily life.”

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