Jongno-gu will run a small-scale home repair program for elderly residents living alone through December, aimed at preventing falls inside the home.
The initiative — officially titled the "Fall Prevention Safe Home Support Project for Vulnerable Elderly Residents" — seeks to create safer living environments for seniors who face a heightened risk of falling at home. Improvements will focus on practical, everyday safety upgrades such as installing bed guards and grab bars and replacing lighting fixtures.
The project gained momentum after Jongno-gu was selected for the Seoul Metropolitan Government's 2026 fall-prevention home support program. The district will provide small-scale repair services to 50 low-income residents aged 65 or older who live alone and are at high risk of falling, with a budget cap of 400,000 won ($281) per household.
The program will proceed in three stages: identifying and assessing eligible residents, carrying out repairs, and evaluating outcomes. From August through September, honorary social welfare civil servants — including health beverage delivery workers and daily living support aides — will visit seniors at home to assess fall risks and identify what improvements each household needs.
From October through November, crews will carry out tailored home improvement work, including installing bed guards and grab bars and replacing lighting. The program will wrap up in December with a satisfaction survey.
Priority will be given to seniors who have fallen within the past 12 months, those with chronic conditions that raise their fall risk, and those who use walking aids or report difficulty with balance.
Work will concentrate on areas where seniors move most frequently and are most likely to fall. Grab bars will be fitted in bathrooms, entryways and hallways; non-slip mats will be laid on floors; and sensor lights, night lights and corridor lights will be installed along poorly lit pathways to prevent accidents in the dark.
"The home, which should be the safest place for an elderly person living alone, can easily become a space where falls happen," Jongno-gu District Mayor Yoo Chan-jong said. "A single small grab bar can be a vital safeguard for a senior's daily life, and we will look after each and every resident with care."
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