Yeongdeungpo-gu Mayor Choi Ho-kwon’s Heartwarming 'Senior Care Walk' Draws Attention

Choi Ho-gwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo District (right), visited the Banghak District Senior Center and had a conversation with the elderly.

Starting January 16, Visiting All 169 Senior Centers with ‘Warm Companionship for the Elderly’

Significant Increase in Support Including a 20% Raise in Senior Center Operating Expenses

Nation’s First Pilot Project for Family Caregiver Rest Program to be Implemented in the First Half of the Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo District, has officially begun his efforts to enhance welfare for the elderly.

As one can tell a person by their actions, Mayor Choi’s steps reveal his sincere care for the elderly.

As of last year, there are approximately 63,000 residents aged 65 and older in Yeongdeungpo District, accounting for 16.9% of the total population. Compared to ten years ago, this is an increase of about 18,000 people, or roughly 5.3%. This trend is expected to accelerate, and the demand for elderly welfare services is also anticipated to rise accordingly.

In response to this reality, Mayor Choi is promoting various projects to ensure a prosperous old age for the elderly. First, starting from January 16, he launched the ‘New Year’s Warm Companionship for the Elderly’ by visiting all 169 senior centers in the district. This initiative replaces the traditional New Year’s greeting meetings held annually in each neighborhood for key figures, aiming instead to greet the elderly first, exchange well-wishes, and foster communication.

On the 16th, the first visit was to five senior centers located in Yeongdeungpo-bon-dong. From 1:30 PM for about two hours, Mayor Choi visited the centers and paid respects to the elderly. The seniors responded with gratitude beyond mere welcome.

During the communication sessions, the elderly openly shared their difficulties related to senior center operations, such as insufficient operating funds, as well as local issues like the installation of elevators at subway stations and the swift advancement of station area development projects. Mayor Choi answered questions sincerely and listened attentively to their concerns.

Additionally, Mayor Choi significantly increased support for senior centers. The plan is to further activate senior centers, which are easily accessible and heavily used by the elderly, turning them into welfare hubs for seniors.

First, operating expenses for senior centers were raised by about 20%. A new lunch support fund of 100,000 to 300,000 KRW per center per month was established to provide warm meals to the elderly, and basic operating expenses were increased by 50,000 to 100,000 KRW monthly to alleviate financial burdens caused by rising prices.

Furthermore, the project to replace floor-level furniture with standing furniture for elderly individuals with back and knee discomfort will be accelerated. Tables, chairs, sofas, and other furniture will be replaced to improve the comfort of seniors at the centers.

Moreover, 10 district-run senior centers will be transformed into smart senior centers equipped with digital devices, and renovation work to improve the environment of aging centers will proceed sequentially. In particular, horticulture programs for single elderly households will be operated to reduce loneliness and prevent social isolation.

Measures are also being prepared to address the increasing demand for care due to the growing elderly population. Mayor Choi plans to implement the nation’s first pilot project for a family caregiver rest program in the first half of this year. This project will provide about four hours of respite care daily for families who need continuous care for dementia patients, allowing caregivers to take a short break and easing their caregiving burden.

Choi Ho-gwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo District Office, visited the Yeongdeungpo Bon-dong Public Senior Center to pay New Year's respects to the elderly.

The program will be operated mainly by volunteers. Retirees who are healthy and socially active will be recruited as volunteers, receive capacity-building training, and then be deployed on-site. They will care for dementia patients by providing companionship or taking walks together, substituting for family caregivers.

The introduction of the family caregiver rest program is said to be based on Mayor Choi’s personal experience alongside the social change of an increasing elderly population. In his book (Choi Ho-kwon, The Dream of Local Autonomy), he described caregivers as ‘angels who care for life with their whole body.’ He also wrote that his father received help from a caregiver, which made him realize the importance and gratitude for caregivers’ work, and that he himself obtained a caregiver certification.

In addition, over 3,800 jobs of various types, including public service and market-type jobs, will be created to help the elderly feel fulfilled and contribute to society. Efforts will also continue to honor those who sacrificed and devoted themselves to the nation by increasing veterans’ welfare allowances by 50%.

Choi Ho-kwon, Mayor of Yeongdeungpo District, stated, “A longevity society is a great achievement of humanity, but if unprepared, it can become a tragedy. We will do our best to ensure that the elderly can live safely and comfortably as if caring for our own parents.”

Meanwhile, although Mayor Choi graduated from Seoul National University and has an impressive career including serving as Director of Culture and Public Relations in Yeongdeungpo District, Secretary to the Mayor of Seoul, Administrative Officer at the Blue House, and Consul General in India, he is well known for his humble approach and warm interactions with staff and residents, earning widespread praise.

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