Goyang City Strengthens Elderly Policies for a Super-Aged Society... Building a Vibrant and Healthy Later Life

Goyang City Expands Support for Seniors, from Employment to Health and Care
Pioneering "Goyang-Type Elderly Productivity Indicators" to Create Local Jobs
Full-Scale Launch of "Senior Health Physician" Program... Integrated Healthcare to Address Medical Gaps
Building an AI-Based Smart Care Platform: Check-in Calls, Robots, Speakers, and Smartwatches

Goyang Special City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor Donghwan Lee) is strengthening its elderly support policies in a continuous and tangible manner ahead of "Senior Citizens' Day" (October 2), in preparation for entering a super-aged society.

The final report meeting on job creation measures for the elderly in Goyang City held on September 16. Provided by Goyang Special City

As part of its eighth popularly elected administration's pledges, the city is working on developing productivity indicators for the elderly, providing tailored health management, and enhancing AI-based care. As of August, the elderly population in Goyang stands at 192,887, accounting for 18.2% of the total population, and the city is expanding support to help seniors enjoy a vibrant and safe later life.

On October 23, Goyang City will hold the "Elderly Employment Innovation Forum" to discuss sustainable job creation strategies for seniors. Experts, practitioners, and citizens will participate together to discuss policies and practical ideas for job development.

Last year, the city conducted research on the "Application of Elderly Productivity Indicators and Measures to Strengthen Productive Activities" and "Current Status and Revitalization Measures for Elderly Employment," which helped to concretize the indicators and derive employment revitalization plans at the city level. In September, research on "Job Creation Measures for the Elderly in Goyang City" was also completed.

Previously, in December 2023, the "Goyang-Type Elderly Productivity Indicators," the first of their kind in Korea, were developed to respond to rapid aging and support the productive activities of seniors, providing comprehensive information focused on "employment" and "capacity development."

The elderly productivity indicators consist of a total of 46 categories, including 29 related to employment and 17 related to capacity and education, covering the current status, needs, policies, and sociocultural characteristics related to the productive activities and capabilities of the elderly.

Senior Health Physician. Provided by Goyang Special City

According to the 2022 survey on the status and needs of the elderly in Goyang City, 17.8% of seniors rated their physical health as poor, with higher rates among older age groups, single-person households, and those with lower incomes. In addition, 93.9% were found to be chronic disease patients, suffering from an average of about three illnesses.

To guarantee the right to health for seniors with limited mobility and those in medically vulnerable groups, the city is implementing its "Senior Health Physician and Healthcare" initiative as a pledged project.

In particular, the "Senior Health Physician Program" began in earnest in July 2022 through an agreement with the Goyang Korean Medicine Association. Currently, 40 senior centers and welfare centers, along with 28 Korean medicine clinics in the area, are participating in the program.

Doctors of Korean medicine from medical institutions and nurses from public health centers visit seniors aged 65 and older who live alone, providing personalized health management services such as basic health consultations, pulse diagnosis, and acupuncture. In a satisfaction survey of 3,689 participants last year, the rate of those wishing to participate again reached 95%, indicating a highly positive response.

Meanwhile, programs such as the "Goyang Happiness Senior Center Health College" and the "Youth 88 Exercise Program" are operated over six to eight weeks. These step-by-step programs, which include health education, cognitive training, physical activity, and laughter therapy, provide practical assistance in improving the physical and cognitive functions of seniors. In addition, each public health center implements specialized projects, offering a variety of services such as "Visiting Home Hospital" and "Senior Home Oral Health Management."

Elderly Person Imitating AI Care Robot. Provided by Goyang Special City

Goyang City is focusing on operating a smart health management platform based on information and communication technology (ICT). In particular, the city systematically manages seniors living alone and dementia patients who are at risk of being overlooked.

The "AI Companion Robot Service" uses an artificial intelligence (AI) system to make weekly phone calls to check in and have conversations on topics such as meals, sleep, and health. The city launched the service for 54 people in 2022 and has expanded it to 300 people this year.

Additionally, AI-powered care robots and speakers are being utilized. Currently, robots are loaned to 100 people and speakers to 30 people, strengthening comprehensive health management and emotional support. The devices are equipped with an emergency SOS function that enables a swift response in urgent situations, minimizing safety gaps.

Furthermore, to support medication adherence and chronic disease management among seniors, the city is operating the AI-based "Smart Health Switch On" program. From June to November, 50 individuals were selected to receive real-time medication reminders, records, and personalized medication guidance. The program also provides nutrition and exercise prescription education tailored to specific diseases, aiming to enhance participants' self-management capabilities.

Donghwan Lee, Mayor of Goyang Special City. Provided by Goyang Special City

Mayor Donghwan Lee of Goyang Special City stated, "We are implementing elderly policies from multiple perspectives to wisely navigate the super-aged society," adding, "We will ensure social stability so that seniors can continue to enjoy happy daily lives, and we will expand comprehensive welfare through ongoing attention and support."

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