Mapo-gu Breathes New Life into Seniors' Lives with Companion Plants

Distribution of Companion Plants to Support Emotional Stability and Relieve Depression for Customized Care Seniors
Healing Horticulture Experts Visit Seniors' Homes Twice for Psychological Counseling and Plant Health Assessment
Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, Hopes Companion Plants Bring New Vitality to Seniors' Lives

Mapo-gu (Mayor Park Gang-su) is promoting a companion plant distribution project to provide emotional stability and alleviate depression among the elderly.

Companion plants refer to plants grown for emotional support and interaction, similar to companion animals. They are easy to care for indoors and have benefits such as air purification and humidity control, which are especially helpful for the health of the elderly.

Accordingly, Mapo-gu plans to reduce loneliness and boost the motivation for life among the elderly through companion plants.

The target recipients of this distribution project are 240 customized care seniors aged 65 and over in the area, who will be recommended through each neighborhood community center within this month. From September, two types of plants will be distributed to the recipients from among Yeoincho, Pachira Suban, Nokbosu, and Gwaneumjuk.

Mapo-gu will not stop at simple distribution but will also provide follow-up care using horticultural therapy experts.

The horticultural therapy experts will visit the recipients' homes twice to conduct psychological counseling for the elderly and assess the condition of the plants. If visits are difficult, they will check on the elderly and the plants through phone consultations.

Additionally, in November, Mapo-gu plans to exhibit the companion plants carefully nurtured by the elderly in the lobby of Mapo-gu Office to greatly enhance their sense of achievement and confidence.

Park Gang-su, Mayor of Mapo-gu, said, “I hope companion plants will become an opportunity to bring vitality to the lives of the elderly,” and added, “Mapo-gu will continue to do its best to improve the quality of life and promote healthy aging for the elderly.”

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