Sacheon City Launches 14 Projects for Solitary Death Prevention and Support for Socially Isolated Households

Investing 193.2 Million Won This Year: From Identifying At-Risk Households to Welfare Checks and Housing Improvements
Utilizing Power and Telecommunications Data and Companion Robots
Training 168 "Our Neighborhood Volunteers"

Sacheon City in Gyeongnam Province will invest 193.2 million won this year to implement 14 projects across six categories aimed at preventing solitary deaths and supporting socially isolated households.

On September 7, the city announced that it would operate a multi-stage support system covering the identification and management of individuals at risk of solitary death, regular welfare checks, improvement of living environments, creation of community spaces and social networks, and post-management care.

According to a survey by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, in 2024, 82.3% of solitary death cases in Gyeongnam Province involved men, with people in their 50s and 60s accounting for 70% of the total. Sacheon City reported that there were no cases of solitary death in the city in 2024.

[Photo by Sacheon City] Sacheon City is holding a comprehensive plan briefing session to prevent solitary deaths and support socially isolated households, checking the promotion plans and support systems for 14 projects across 6 sectors.

To identify households at risk as early as possible, the city conducted a survey targeting more than 1,000 single-person households among young and middle-aged adults aged 19–64 and households flagged as at-risk between March and June this year.

Using a social isolation risk questionnaire, the city conducted both face-to-face and non-face-to-face surveys. Households determined to be at risk were offered counseling and connected to welfare services. In addition, the city plans to conduct six additional rounds of screening each year leveraging the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s system for identifying those at the blind spots of the welfare system, aiming to review a total of more than 3,500 cases.

Sacheon City is also running a program that leverages postal workers to help identify households in crisis. Notifications about welfare service applications are sent by registered mail to about 1,900 people whose risk status was verified through the national welfare network. Postal workers fill out and submit checklists regarding living conditions and any signs of crisis they notice during deliveries.

Based on the returned checklists, customized welfare teams in each district visit these households or provide counseling, then connect them to the necessary welfare services.

The city is also implementing remote welfare checks using power and telecommunications data. In partnership with Sacheon Branch of Korea Electric Power Corporation, 378 single-person households at risk are registered in the city’s welfare monitoring system for single residents. If unusual changes in power or telecommunications usage are detected, a staff member checks on the household’s well-being by phone or by visiting in person.

For 10 middle-aged and older single-person households at highest risk, the city provides a welfare check service using the companion robot "DasomK." This service offers conversation, video calls, medication reminders, and emergency calls. In emergencies, the system connects to a control center and related agencies for a coordinated response.

The city is also expanding resident-centered human safety networks. This year, 168 local residents will be trained as "Our Neighborhood Volunteers," monitoring changes in the daily lives of neighbors in need and reporting potential crises to community welfare centers.

The "Happiness Guardians" group, made up of 981 people including members from the Community Social Security Council, honorary social welfare public officials, the Licensed Realtors Association, Sacheon Post Office, Sacheon Branch of the National Health Insurance Service, and emergency management personnel, will also participate in identifying at-risk households and connecting them to private resources.

The city will carry out living and housing environment improvement projects for at-risk households as well.

More than 68 single-person households among young and middle-aged adults and those experiencing social isolation will receive household necessities and side dishes. For households in need of housing improvement due to hoarding or excessive waste, the "Clean Bus" project will provide disinfection, waste disposal, and organization of living spaces.

Professional companies and local volunteer organizations are participating in housing improvement support by repairing fluorescent lights and window screens, installing safety handles, cleaning, and disinfecting. This year, more than 12 households are targeted for these improvements. For over 30 elderly and vulnerable households, deep cleaning, large waste disposal, and organizational support will be provided.

The city will also run programs to help reduce social isolation by fostering social networks. Through activities organized at the Integrated Social Welfare Center and Family Center—such as clubs, horticulture programs, singing classes, and outings—high-risk individuals and single-person households in their middle and advanced years will be encouraged to participate.

The city has also established a post-management program for cases where solitary death has occurred. If the deceased lacks family or other support, Sacheon City will provide 800,000 won in funeral expenses to a funeral home using the Hope Sharing 4000 Neighbor Love Fund for residents who actually lived in the city.

Mayor Park Dongsik stated, “We will operate a prevention system so that at-risk households can be identified early through cooperation between the administration and the local community, and be connected to necessary welfare services.”

However, in order to enhance the effectiveness of solitary death prevention projects, it is important to focus not only on the number of persons identified but also on the actual connection to services, continuous welfare checks, and whether social ties have been restored through post-management.

Efforts to prevent solitary deaths cannot end with simply finding at-risk households. The key is to provide needed services and continue ongoing welfare checks for those found to be at risk. It is also necessary to continuously monitor whether the administrative system, technology, and neighbor support networks are producing real reductions in social isolation.

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