Six seniors from a local elderly employment program will explain the Y Integrated Care system to residents at eye level, visiting apartment complexes across three neighborhoods in pairs to promote the service at community hubs such as senior centers and building management offices.
"Many seniors my age don't know who to ask even when a support system exists, so they just let it pass," said Jo Jun-il, 69, a member of the newly formed Y Integrated Care outreach support team. "If we meet them in person and explain things simply, I think it can make at least a small difference in helping those who need it."
Yangcheon-gu has launched the Y Integrated Care Outreach Support Team, a field-based initiative that sends community members directly into residential areas to raise awareness of the district's integrated care system and help close gaps in welfare coverage.
The team visits community hubs such as building management offices and senior centers to explain the services available under the Y Integrated Care program, walk residents through the application process, and direct them to consultation desks at their local community service centers. Beyond simple program promotion, the team serves as a neighborhood care guide — breaking down the system in plain terms and connecting residents with the support they need.
The team is made up of six seniors participating in an elderly employment program run by the Yangcheon Senior Club. The district held a launch ceremony Monday at Haenuri Town, attended by the participating seniors and Yangcheon Senior Club officials. On Tuesday, the team completed job and safety training covering the Y Integrated Care application process, field outreach methods, personal data protection and consultation referral procedures.
Working in pairs across three teams, the members will visit more than 260 apartment complexes in the Mok-dong, Sinwol and Sinjeong areas in sequence from September through November. They will ask building management offices and security posts to assist with outreach efforts, and will explain the key features and usage of Y Integrated Care at resident spaces such as senior centers while distributing promotional materials directly.
Y Integrated Care is Yangcheon-gu's community care initiative, launched in earnest on March 27 in line with the enforcement of the Act on Integrated Support for Local Care, including medical and long-term care services. Since its launch, the program has connected residents with a total of 1,825 services — 552 in daily living support, 511 in health and medical care, 354 in health management, 247 in residential support and 161 in long-term care — helping residents continue to receive the care they need where they live.
The district had earlier provided integrated care practical training for frontline care workers, including daily living support staff and care workers. With the outreach team now in operation, it plans to extend its reach for identifying care recipients further into residents' everyday environments.
The district will also monitor outreach activity records — including apartment complex visits and resident inquiries — throughout the campaign period to ensure balanced coverage across the Mok-dong, Sinwol and Sinjeong areas.
"Integrated care only becomes a service that residents can truly feel when it reaches those who need it at the right time," Yangcheon-gu District Mayor Lee Gi-jae said. "I hope the senior outreach team, going door to door across the neighborhood, will serve as a reliable community care guide — explaining Y Integrated Care in terms residents can understand and connecting those in need with the right support."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
