Eunpyeong-gu, Identifying Middle-Aged Single-Person Households at Risk

Collaborating with Comprehensive Social Welfare Centers to Identify Middle-Aged Single-Person Households at Risk of Isolation and Solitary Death

Providing Customized Program Support... Any Middle-Aged Single-Person Household Aged 40-64 in Eunpyeong-gu Can Participate

Eunpyeong-gu (Mayor Kim Mi-kyung) announced that it will promote the ‘Finding Breath Project’ together with local welfare centers to prevent isolation and enhance vitality among middle-aged single-person households.

‘Finding Breath’ means ‘finding hidden, marginalized neighbors.’ As of last month, about 36% of all single-person households in Eunpyeong-gu are middle-aged households aged 40-64, totaling approximately 31,000 households. Middle-aged single-person households may face risks of isolation or solitary death due to insufficient care support systems, broken relationships, and increasing anxiety factors.

Accordingly, the district will collaborate with local welfare centers such as Nokbeon, Sinsa, and Eunpyeong Comprehensive Social Welfare Centers to provide close support for middle-aged single-person households by region.

Along with existing welfare centers’ solitary death prevention projects, the district will proactively identify middle-aged single-person households at risk of isolation and solitary death by linking with the ‘Silver SOL Life’ project. ‘Silver SOL Life’ is a program designed to help middle-aged single-person households who have moved to Eunpyeong adapt to their new lives. Customized programs and self-help groups will be supported for the identified middle-aged single-person households.

Each welfare center will operate distinctive programs until the end of the year. Any middle-aged single-person household aged 40-64 residing in Eunpyeong can participate in the programs. Applications can be made through the Eunpyeong-gu Office Family Policy Division or each comprehensive social welfare center.

At Nokbeon Comprehensive Social Welfare Center, a cooking club activity called ‘Occasionally, Cooking’ is held once a month to promote healthy eating habits among middle-aged single-person households. Participants prepare healthy and delicious meals together and share a meal. In September, ‘Occasionally, Outing’ will be held to enjoy cultural activities and foster communication together.

Eunpyeong Comprehensive Social Welfare Center operates a customized education program called ‘Alssulsinjap’ (Miscellaneous Knowledge for Singles That Is Useful to Know). The education covers various topics such as welfare information, retirement preparation, and chronic disease prevention and management. In the future, they plan to run a small group support project called ‘Together We Live,’ where members with common interests gather and engage in activities.

Sinsa Comprehensive Social Welfare Center will operate customized programs centered around three neighborhoods. In Sinsa-dong, programs such as organizing and storage and neighborhood walks under the title ‘Living in Sinsa’ aim to expand social networks among residents. In Galhyeon-dong, programs like tea time and cooking activities called ‘Galhyeon Vitality’ promote healthy eating habits. In Yeokchon and Gusan-dong, programs such as hand drip coffee making and neighborhood caf? exploration called ‘Cafe In Recharge’ aim to enhance daily vitality.

After the programs end, follow-up care such as regular check-ins will be conducted, and necessary services will be connected. The district plans to establish neighborhood infrastructure where single-person households can seek help in emergencies.

Kim Mi-kyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, said, “I hope this will be an opportunity for middle-aged single-person households to increase their confidence in leading an independent life,” and added, “We will actively work to expand social networks to prevent long-term issues such as solitary death and relationship breakdown.”

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