Jongno-gu to Care for Elderly Living Alone 24/7 with 'Artificial Intelligence Companion Robots'

[Seoul District News] Jongno-gu Provides AI-Based Companion Robot ‘Aria’ to 170 Vulnerable Elderly Living Alone & Plays Favorite Songs and Engages in Conversation & “Help Me” Alerts Control Center for Immediate 119 Dispatch ... Jungnang-gu Selected for Pilot Project of Long-Term Care Home Medical Center, Offering Integrated Medical and Nursing Services with Doctor, Nurse, and Social Worker Home Visits

Jeong Munheon, Mayor of Jongno-gu, is checking the companion robot's functions on the 1st.

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jongno-gu (District Mayor Jeong Munheon) is gaining attention for distributing the AI companion robot ‘Aria’ to vulnerable elderly living alone and establishing a 24-hour seamless care system.

The companion robot Aria plays music or news that the elderly enjoy and engages in conversations, bringing vitality to what could otherwise be a monotonous daily life in old age.

Additionally, in case of an emergency, if the elderly shout “Help me,” the alert is sent to the control center, and 119 (emergency services) immediately dispatches assistance to ensure their safety.

This project was an idea of Jeong Munheon, the mayor of Jongno-gu. Upon taking office in July this year, considering the aging population and the increase in single-person households, Mayor Jeong planned to strengthen care services for elderly living alone by supporting companion robots.

Following the supplementary budget allocation in September, the district office identified eligible recipients through local community centers and the Jongno Senior Welfare Center, and after review by the elderly customized care council, completed the installation of companion robots in the homes of 170 vulnerable elderly living alone from November 21 to 29.

Mr. Ma○○ (89), residing in Sajik-dong, expressed gratitude, saying, “When I call Aria, it plays my favorite music and becomes a companion to talk to, which is really nice. Also, knowing there is someone to come running in an emergency gives me peace of mind.”

Moreover, since August this year, Jongno-gu has been operating the program ‘Mayor Meets Elderly Living Alone via Zoom,’ where Mayor Jeong Munheon regularly meets and communicates online with elderly living alone.

This initiative aims to prevent solitary deaths in the community and support socially isolated households. The mayor personally inquires about the safety and well-being of the elderly, helping to alleviate depression, and connects them with emergency medical support or visiting nursing services, receiving positive responses from participating residents.

Mayor Jeong Munheon stated, “I expect the AI companion robot Aria to provide small daily joys and reduce loneliness while ensuring the safety of the elderly,” adding, “We will strive to enhance the quality of life for the elderly by responding to the increasing demand for non-face-to-face welfare services.”

Jungnang-gu (District Mayor Ryu Gyeonggi) announced that it has been selected for the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s ‘Long-term Care Home Medical Center Pilot Project.’

The ‘Long-term Care Home Medical Center Pilot Project’ targets elderly long-term care recipients who have difficulty visiting medical institutions due to mobility issues. Doctors, nurses, and social workers visit their homes to provide medical examinations, nursing, and care services.

The project aims to provide integrated care services encompassing both medical treatment and long-term care, improving the quality of home-based long-term care services and enhancing the quality of life in old age.

Accordingly, the district signed a business agreement with Seoul Sinnae Clinic and will conduct the project for one year starting this month. Jungnang-gu is responsible for identifying those in need of home medical services and connecting them to the home medical center. Subsequently, a multidisciplinary home medical team composed of doctors, nurses, and social workers visits the recipients’ homes to provide medical and care services.

Doctors visit once a month, nurses twice a month for regular visits to manage diseases, geriatric syndromes, functional rehabilitation, and nursing care, while social workers visit as needed to monitor the recipients. Furthermore, individualized care plans will be developed for each patient to ensure more systematic management.

Mayor Ryu Gyeonggi of Jungnang-gu said, “Through this pilot project, elderly who had difficulty visiting medical institutions will be able to receive timely and appropriate medical services,” adding, “We will continue to make multifaceted efforts to promote the health of our residents.”

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