Seoul City’s '1-Person Household Hospital Safe Companion' Surpasses 1,000 Monthly Users... Total 7,800 Users

Playing a Key Role in Resolving Medical Difficulties for Single-Person Households... Significant Increase in Monthly and Daily Average Users
Relatively More Users from Dongbuk and Seobuk Areas... 60% of Usage Due to Short-Term Needs Such as Medical Treatment and Hospital Admission/Discharge

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] Seoul’s “Safe Hospital Companion Service for Single-Person Households,” designed for citizens who find it difficult to visit hospitals alone when sick, has received great public response and has established itself as a reliable companion for single-person households on their way to the hospital. In about one year since the service started, over 7,800 citizens have used it.

According to Seoul City, an analysis of the main usage status of the “Safe Hospital Companion Service for Single-Person Households” shows that the average monthly number of users has been steadily increasing, surpassing 1,000 from August this year. The average daily number of users reached 67 by the end of October, nearly five times higher than at the beginning of this year when the project officially started.

Seoul City analyzed that the increase in demand for the “Safe Hospital Companion Service for Single-Person Households” is because coping with illness or emergencies is the biggest difficulty for single-person households, and the service has helped alleviate their medical hardships. According to the “2021 Seoul Single-Person Household Survey and Policy Improvement Study” released last May, the most difficult or challenging aspect of living alone for single-person households was “coping with illness or emergencies” (35.9%), a significant increase compared to 24.1% in the 2017 survey.

Reflecting last year’s pilot operation results and citizen feedback, Seoul City removed the limit on the number of service uses, which was previously capped at six times per year during the pilot period, starting this year. Additionally, citizens with a median income of 100% or less can use the service free of charge. Among all users, 52% (4,074 cases) were paid users, while 48% (3,781 cases) were free users with median income at or below 100%.

Looking at usage by age group, those aged 80 and above accounted for the largest share at 32.2%, followed by those in their 70s (27.8%), 60s (21.9%), 40s to 50s (14.6%), and under 30 (3.5%). Regionally, the number of users was relatively high in the northeastern and northwestern areas, with districts exceeding 400 cumulative uses including Nowon, Seongbuk, Eunpyeong, Gangseo, Gangbuk, and Dongdaemun. Among districts, Gangnam-gu recorded the highest number of uses at 769 cases.

Regarding service usage patterns, usage rates were high during morning hours (before 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.) at 67.4%, and about half (54.8%) of users used the companion service for less than three hours. The operating hours of the “Safe Hospital Companion Service for Single-Person Households” are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. By user type, about 60% used the service short-term for reasons such as medical appointments and hospital admissions/discharges, while about 40% used it regularly for dialysis, tests, rehabilitation treatment, and so forth.

Since September, Seoul City has been piloting the “Safe Companion Service for Daily Recovery after Discharge for Single-Person Households” to assist those discharged from hospitals who face difficulties due to lack of caregivers. The city aims to establish a seamless care support system by providing support from hospital accompaniment to daily recovery. Furthermore, with service expansion and increased users, the city plans to strengthen capabilities through additional support staff, job training, and performance rewards.

Meanwhile, to mark the first anniversary of the “Safe Hospital Companion Service for Single-Person Households,” Seoul City will hold a “Testimonial Contest” for three weeks from the 1st to the 21st of next month to share user experiences. Family members or acquaintances of users can participate and freely submit stories about gratitude, helpful aspects, inconveniences, and more experienced while using the service.

Kim Seon-soon, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Women and Family Policy Office, said, “Since single-person households find it relatively difficult to cope with urgent or emergency situations, the safe hospital companion service is becoming a practical help. We will continue to do our best to support citizens from hospital accompaniment to daily recovery without inconvenience.” She added, “I hope Seoul City becomes a reliable pillar for single-person household citizens who find it hardest when they are sick living alone.”

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