Gangjin-gun Doam-myeon, Playing the Dutiful Role of Checking in with Phone Calls 'Effectively'

Published 05 Nov.2020 14:14(KST)

Updated 19 Aug.2025 20:58(KST)

Daily Check-in Calls for 120 Service-Excluded Elderly Living Alone

A phone call is being made to check on the well-being of a solitary elderly person in Doam-myeon, Gangjin-gun. (Photo by Gangjin-gun)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-su] The check-in phone service for elderly living alone, implemented in Doam-myeon, Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do, is receiving great response from the senior citizens.

According to Gangjin-gun on the 5th, as the elderly mortality rate is expected to increase due to safety accidents caused by cold weather during the season with large temperature differences, a daily morning check-in phone service is being provided for elderly and disabled people living alone.

Every year, a survey on elderly living alone is conducted, and elderly and disabled people excluded from service support are contacted once a week by phone to check on their well-being and listen to any difficulties. Administrative helpers in Doam-myeon make calls every morning to more than 20 elderly living alone.

If there is no answer, the Doam-myeon Community Security Council informs welfare helpers appointed by village, who then verify or directly visit the households.

It is not just about checking on them. Sometimes, simple operations such as electricity, water, gas, or TV are difficult for them, and they endure discomfort for several days until the helper’s call or visit resolves the issue immediately.

Especially nowadays, when the management system for the target group is difficult due to COVID-19, children living in cities are also satisfied with the check-in phone service as it allows them to confirm the health and safety of their parents living alone.

Park Cheol-hong, an administrative helper in Doam-myeon, said, “At first, some people misunderstood it as scam calls like voice phishing, but now many express gratitude and worry about my well-being, which makes me feel proud.”

Im Jun-hyung, head of Doam-myeon (co-chairman of Doam Community Security Council), said, “We provide the check-in phone service to proactively respond to crises that may occur in high-risk single-person households during winter and to alleviate daily inconveniences. We will make greater efforts to minimize welfare blind spots, especially during this time of communication breakdown caused by COVID-19, and protect the health and safety of the elderly.”