Gwangju Seo-gu Council's Final Approval of the 'Senior Safety Cane Support Ordinance'

Proposed by Assemblyman Jeon Seung-il... Nationwide First Support for LED-Lit Canes for Vulnerable Groups

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho] The Seo-gu Council of Gwangju Metropolitan City announced on the 18th that the "Elderly Safety Cane Support Ordinance," proposed by Councilor Jeon Seung-il, was finally approved at the Seo-gu Council plenary session.

The ordinance aims to stipulate necessary matters to support safety canes equipped with safety functions intended to alleviate inconveniences and improve convenience for elderly people who have difficulty walking, as well as to prevent traffic accidents.

It targets elderly individuals aged 70 or older residing in the district who are classified as non-eligible for long-term care insurance grades (those who have applied for recognition under the Elderly Long-term Care Insurance but have not received a grade assessment).

The ordinance includes provisions to partially support the cost of purchasing a cane equipped with special devices that allow it to be visible to vehicles during nighttime walking, once every three years.

Notably, this ordinance is the first nationwide to support canes equipped with LED lights for vulnerable elderly groups.

Councilor Jeon said, "Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, the activity levels of elderly people have greatly decreased, and I hope this cane will serve as an opportunity for them to gradually regain vitality. Since more than half of pedestrian fatalities from traffic accidents involve elderly people and most accidents occur during evening hours, the LED cane is expected to help prevent traffic accidents among the elderly."

Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Shin Dong-ho sdhs6751@asiae.co.kr

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