Mapo-gu launches frailty prevention program for elderly residents

Mapo-gu will run a frailty prevention program for elderly residents from August through October, District Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun announced.

The program builds on existing health education while introducing new strength-building exercises and expanding individualized health assessments, including evaluations for frailty and depression. It targets residents aged 65 and older who have been classified as high-risk for frailty through a frailty screening.

The district is also running a program focused on the mental well-being of older residents. Since June, it has offered a therapeutic art program using picture books to support emotional stability and cognitive function among elderly participants.

The frailty prevention program runs for eight weeks. In the first week, visiting nurses assess each participant's grip strength, depression levels, frailty indicators and brain health awareness, while certified exercise instructors carry out a tailored physical intervention program based on each person's condition.

From the second week onward, participants undergo simple blood pressure and blood sugar checks and are monitored for adherence to self-directed exercise routines. Health education sessions covering frailty prevention, chronic disease management, oral care and nutrition are then combined with the exercise intervention program.

In the final eighth week, the health assessments from the first week are repeated to measure changes in participants' health over the course of the program. Follow-up health management support will also be provided based on the results.

"Healthy aging for our elderly residents is a critical issue directly tied not only to individual quality of life but also to the vitality of our community," Yoo said. "We will continue to expand prevention-focused health management programs so that elderly residents can maintain a healthy daily life for as long as possible."