Jung-gu Seoul's "1,000-Won Bathhouse" Senior Healthcare Center Becomes a Community Hub for Elderly Health and Well-being

The Senior Healthcare Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, known as the "1,000-won Bathhouse," has established itself as a beloved community hub that goes beyond serving as a simple hygiene facility, offering care for both the health and well-being of elderly residents.

Elderly people are taking a group photo in front of the public bathhouse. Provided by Jung-gu.

According to Jung-gu on June 17, last month, an elderly resident surnamed Park visited the center and casually mentioned to a staff member, with whom he had a friendly relationship, that he felt slight paralysis in his arm after bathing. The staff member immediately performed a self-diagnosis for stroke (FAST test) and recommended a hospital visit. A detailed examination revealed a cerebral hemorrhage, and Park underwent emergency surgery the same day, making a full recovery without aftereffects.

The Senior Healthcare Center, which opened in December 2023, is available to Jung-gu residents aged 65 and older after registering as a member of the Yaksu Senior Welfare Center. The bathhouse fee is 1,000 won per visit, and the health promotion room can be used for 15,000 won per month, keeping costs low.

The bathhouse operates by reservation, with four sessions per day, accommodating 16 men and 16 women in each session. The health promotion room also operates four sessions per day, with 12 people per session, and provides personalized exercise programs led by professional fitness instructors.

The center's popularity is evident in the numbers. In last year's satisfaction survey, it received a total satisfaction score of 4.7, while kindness and intention to revisit both scored 4.8 out of 5. The cumulative number of users increased from 23,368 in 2024 to 27,289 last year, and as of the end of May this year, the average monthly number of users rose by 37.2% compared to the previous year. Reservations for the women’s bathhouse are typically filled within 30 minutes to an hour of opening each month. In response, the district expanded the number of daily bathhouse sessions from three to four starting this year.

Kim Gilseong, Mayor of Jung-gu, stated, "The Senior Healthcare Center has become more than just a facility for bathing and health improvement; it has become a gathering place where seniors can communicate and connect. We will continue to do our best to bring health and vitality to the daily lives of our elderly residents."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.