Asan City Identifies 140 Middle-Aged Low-Income Individuals at Risk of Lonely Death

Survey Results: 31 High-Risk, 62 Medium-Risk, 47 Low-Risk Individuals

Asan City in Chungnam conducted a survey to identify isolated low-income middle-aged and elderly single-person households and to assess the demand for welfare policies, resulting in the identification of 140 individuals at risk.

Asan City in Chungnam has conducted a survey to identify isolated households and assess the welfare policy needs of low-income single-person households in the middle-aged and elderly demographic, resulting in the identification of 140 individuals at risk and the initiation of follow-up support measures.

This survey was carried out from July to September, targeting 1,721 low-income single-person households in Asan City, including recipients of basic livelihood, medical, and housing benefits, as well as those in the near-poor category, aged between 50 and 64. The survey was conducted through home visits by members of the local Happy Promotion Team and public officials from the visiting health and welfare teams of 17 towns and districts.

The results revealed that 140 individuals were classified as being at risk of dying alone. Among them, 31 were identified as high-risk, 62 as medium-risk, and 47 as low-risk.

Additionally, the policy needs survey for low-income, middle-aged single-person households showed that 939 people, or 75.8%, requested financial support, while the second most requested service was health management, with 105 people expressing this need. Other responses included housing support, job support, creation of a safe environment, support for building social relationships, and support for leisure activities, in that order.

For those who did not respond to the survey due to refusal, absence after three visits, or not residing at the address, a second round of door-to-door welfare checks will be conducted.

The city plans to provide intensive monitoring and customized services by life stage to those identified as at risk of dying alone, aiming to prevent such incidents. Furthermore, the welfare needs identified through the survey will be incorporated into the city's prevention and management programs for solitary deaths.

An official from Asan City stated, "This survey is significant as it targeted middle-aged individuals in the care blind spot," and added, "We will establish various policy directions to support those at risk of dying alone."