Seoul City Distributes Mini Garden Companion Plants to 1,400 Seniors... Expected to Alleviate Depression and Loneliness

Horticultural Therapists and Life Support Workers Provide Horticultural Healing Welfare Services Through Accompanied Visits and Phone Consultations
From This Year, Distribution of Companion Plant Pots in Flower Basket Form... Companion Plants Provided to 16,000 Seniors Over 5 Years

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 10th that it will distribute companion plants to 1,400 elderly individuals aged 65 and over, who have been recommended by each autonomous district as recipients of the Elderly Customized Care Service, to alleviate feelings of depression and loneliness and to revitalize their lives. The city plans to complete the distribution of 1,400 companion plants in cooperation with 25 autonomous districts within this month.

The types and shapes of the companion plants being distributed have become more diverse. Unlike previous years, the companion plants provided this year are arranged in flower basket shapes. They are produced as mini-garden concept pots combining four types of companion plants: Sanhosu, Table Palm, Humata, and Red Star. The city expects that the elderly will enjoy the healing effect of appreciating and caring for these small indoor gardens composed of companion plants.

Additionally, after distributing the companion plants, follow-up care will be conducted in cooperation with the autonomous districts' network welfare centers, such as elderly care services. Horticultural therapists and life support workers will visit the homes of the Elderly Customized Care Service recipients together or provide regular phone consultations to teach plant care methods, ensuring proper aftercare of the companion plants.

Started in 2017, the ‘Seoul Companion Plant’ distribution project is now in its sixth year. Over the past five years, companion plants have been distributed to 16,167 elderly recipients of the Elderly Customized Care Service and low-income elderly living alone, receiving great responses for alleviating depression and loneliness.

Meanwhile, in November, Seoul plans to hold a ‘Companion Plant Art Festival’ as part of horticultural activities using companion plants. Participating elderly individuals will create works such as photos, paintings, and essays themed around companion plants, which will be exhibited. Selected works will be displayed in locations such as the lobby of Seoul City Hall.

Hwang Bo-yeon, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Economic Policy Office, said, "Given that social isolation and depression among the elderly have significantly worsened due to COVID-19 and other factors, we hope that these ‘small companion plant gardens’ that can be enjoyed at home will become a source of vitality in their daily lives." He added, "We will expand the horticultural healing service project through the distribution of companion plants."

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