Senior Welfare Centers Also to Stay Open Until 9 p.m.; Seoul Expands “Nighttime Welfare”

[Financial News] Senior welfare centers in Seoul, which have traditionally operated mainly during the daytime, will also open in the evening. The operating hours of welfare services are being extended so that older adults who have difficulty using welfare facilities during the day because of work or social activities can enjoy exercise and cultural activities after work.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 13th that it would launch a pilot program this month, called “Welfare, Let’s Play at Night,” offering evening programs at five municipal senior welfare centers.
The participating centers are the Gangseo, Gwangjin, Nowon and Seongbuk Senior Welfare Centers, and the Seoul Senior Welfare Center. The program is for adults aged 60 and over and will run through the end of the year, on weekdays and according to each center’s schedule, until as late as 9 p.m.
The programs range from health management to cultural and leisure activities. The Gangseo Senior Welfare Center offers classic film screenings, exercise with equipment and programs to improve sleep. The Seoul Senior Welfare Center has arranged readings and literary programs.
The Seongbuk Senior Welfare Center will open its table tennis room, fitness room and other facilities in the evening, along with offering foot massages. Yoga, English conversation, craft and reading groups are held at the Nowon Senior Welfare Center, while the Gwangjin Senior Welfare Center runs yoga classes and self-help groups.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government expects evening access to help reduce older adults’ social isolation, going beyond simply providing leisure activities. It plans to support relationships formed at the centers so they can develop into “senior-to-senior mutual care,” with older adults checking in on one another and helping each other with daily life.
Evening operations at general social welfare centers will also be expanded. Currently, 97 centers across Seoul offer vocational training for residents and care programs for children and adolescents, among other services; the number is set to rise to 100 next year.
The Wolgye General Social Welfare Center in Nowon District offers evening classes to prepare for barista certification, while the Banpo General Social Welfare Center in Seocho District runs independent-living and sports programs for adolescents and young adults with developmental disabilities.
The “Starlight Vitality Festival for Seniors” will also be held at the Seoul Museum of Craft Art at 6 p.m. on the 20th. The event, open to all members of the public, will feature acoustic guitar performances, dance and readings.
“We will make it possible for older adults who cannot make time during the day to enjoy leisure activities and receive care in the evening as well,” said Jeong Jin-woo, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Welfare Office. “We will ensure that evening operations at the welfare centers are carried out effectively.”

[email protected] Lee Seol-young Reporter