Opening of Elderly Healthcare Center with Bathhouse in Sindang-dong, Jung-gu

Seoul Jung-gu Invests 2.5 Billion KRW to Establish Senior Healthcare Center in Sindang-dong (22 Cheongguro 8-gil) with Basement 1 to 3 Floors

Jung-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Kim Gil-seong) has opened the "Elderly Healthcare Center" equipped with a bathhouse and a health promotion room.

Soaking in warm water is beneficial for maintaining health in many ways, but there are no public bathhouses in the Sindang-dong area. Some houses in the aging residential neighborhoods lack bathrooms and shower facilities.

To guarantee the "right to wash" for the elderly, Jung-gu took direct action. The district invested a total project cost of 2.5 billion KRW to establish a facility with a total floor area of 619.74㎡, spanning from the basement to the third floor at 22 Cheonggu-ro 8-gil, Sindang-dong. The first floor houses the men's bathhouse, the second floor the women's bathhouse, and the third floor features a health promotion room equipped with smart health devices.

Any senior citizen aged 65 or older residing in Jung-gu can use the facility. The bathhouse usage fee is 1,000 KRW per day. The health promotion room is available on a monthly basis, with a usage fee of 15,000 KRW.

On the 14th, the district held an opening ceremony for the "Elderly Healthcare Center," celebrating with residents while touring the facility.

The most important consideration in the design and operation of the bathhouse was safety. Seniors must have their blood pressure checked before bathing. Those with hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, or skin conditions are not allowed to use the facility.

To prepare for any abnormalities during bathing, emergency bells are installed at every seat in the bathhouse. In the restrooms, emergency bells are installed not only within reach when sitting or standing but also on the floor, so that if someone falls, they can press the bell located near the floor.

The height of the bathhouse was designed lower than typical public bathhouses to allow easy access for seniors, and the floors of the bathhouse and changing rooms use non-slip stone materials. Handrails are installed along the seniors' movement paths to ensure safe mobility.

A safety officer is stationed next to the bathhouse at all times to respond immediately in case of emergencies.

The bathhouse operates on a reservation system divided into four daily sessions. Bathing time is 90 minutes, with 30 minutes allocated for cleaning, allowing use within a total of 2 hours. Each session accommodates up to 12 people.

In the health promotion room, a fitness instructor guides seniors to improve their muscle strength and cognitive abilities. Using smart health devices, personalized management is provided, with five daily sessions for groups of 12 people each.

The operation of the Elderly Healthcare Center is managed by the Korea Presbyterian Welfare Foundation, a social welfare corporation. The district selected them considering their experience in operating senior bathhouses and expertise in elderly welfare projects.

During the trial operation period throughout December, usage is free of charge. The district plans to gather user feedback to identify areas for improvement and reflect these in full-scale operations starting January next year. Reservations and inquiries for the Elderly Healthcare Center can be made by phone.

District Mayor Kim Gil-seong stated, "Everyone has the right to wash cleanly and to enjoy a healthy old age," adding, "We hope the Jung-gu Elderly Healthcare Center will become not just a bathing facility but a local landmark where health is cared for and conversations are shared."

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