Songpa-gu Expands Care Services Including Companion Support Amid COVID-19 Crisis

Expansion of 8 Customized Care Services Including Companion Support and Housing Convenience Services...Care Service Provision Agreement Institutions Increased to 25 Locations

[Asia Economy Reporter Jong-il Park] The Dolbom SOS Centers at the 27 community service centers in Songpa-gu (Mayor Seong-su Park) will provide eight types of care services starting January, including ▲Companion Support ▲Housing Convenience ▲Health Support ▲Well-being Check Services.

Since August last year, Songpa-gu has been operating the four core care services at each community center: ▲Temporary Home Care ▲Short-term Facilities ▲Meal Support ▲Information Counseling Services.

With this service expansion, the district plans to activate a comprehensive welfare safety net offering emergency care to daily convenience services for residents who find it difficult to receive help from neighbors.

In particular, the Companion Support Service is a customized service for elderly living alone who frequently visit hospitals or for children who need to take leave to accompany their parents to medical appointments.

It is expected that professionals from partner organizations accompanying patients to hospitals will play a significant role in reducing the caregiving burden at home.

Additionally, the Housing Convenience Service, which assists with simple home repairs, cleaning, disinfection, and pest control, will be an essential service to improve the quality of life for single-person households with physical difficulties.

In December last year, Songpa-gu signed additional agreements with five care service providers to secure a total of 25 service institutions for stable care service provision.

Each institution that signed the business agreement is a social enterprise, self-support enterprise, or village enterprise with expertise and experience in their respective fields. They have secured professionals capable of providing direct services in response to urgent requests, offering reliable care services to residents.

The Dolbom SOS Center is available to elderly, disabled persons, and middle-aged individuals aged 50 and over who have difficulty performing daily activities alone due to sudden accidents or illnesses.

Residents with middle income below 85%, including low-income groups, receive full support for service costs, while other residents can use the services with self-payment. Applications and consultations can be made at the community service center of the resident’s address.

Seong-su Park, Mayor of Songpa-gu, emphasized, “The Dolbom SOS Center plays a pivotal role in caring for households facing care crises increased by COVID-19,” adding, “We will carefully examine residents’ difficulties, gradually expand care services, and devote all efforts to strengthening the welfare safety net.”

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