Health ministry checks local support for isolated older people

The health ministry said Thursday it inspected local efforts in Gumi to identify and support people at risk of dying alone, as heat waves pose particular risks to isolated households.

Jin Young-ju, the ministry's director-general for social welfare policy, reviewed the work at Gumi City Hall and accompanied the Happy Mobile Team to visit an older person living alone in Songjeong-dong. Local governments run the network, which includes residents such as honorary social welfare officials.

The ministry adopted its 2026 summer protection plan for vulnerable groups on June 3, instructing local governments to step up welfare checks for people at high risk of dying alone and provide guidance on preventing heat-related illness. Under the plan, older people living alone receive daily welfare checks. Since June 1, the heat wave alert system has included a top-level severe heat wave warning, increasing the need for preemptive protection of vulnerable groups.

At a meeting at City Hall, the status of efforts to identify and support people at risk of dying alone and progress on welfare checks for isolated households were shared. Heat-related health and living-environment risks and difficulties encountered during calls and home visits were discussed. Jin also reviewed procedures for responding to crises that can arise during heat waves.

“During heat waves, isolated households can face even greater difficulties, so careful attention and continued welfare checks are more important than anything else,” Jin said. “We will strengthen field-centered responses so community safety networks can protect households in crisis and needed support can be delivered quickly.”

Checks on people at risk of dying alone and other vulnerable households will continue until the heat wave ends. It said feedback from the visit will be reflected in future policies on protecting people at risk of isolation and welfare checks, and support systems for seasonal risks will be strengthened.