Yeongjong-gu District (Mayor Son Hwa-jeong) in Incheon said that its “Visiting Healthy Centenarian Senior Center Frailty Prevention Program,” which sends public health center specialists directly to senior centers to detect frailty in older adults at an early stage, found that roughly nine out of every 10 seniors screened were at a frailty risk stage. The district said on the 11th that the program, launched as it ushers in a new Yeongjong era, has drawn a strong response from local seniors.
 [The Korean Today] Yeongjong-gu Public Health Center’s Visiting Healthy Centenarian Senior Center Frailty Prevention Program in progress © Reporter Kim Mi-hee |
At the core of the program, Korean medicine doctors, nurses and physical therapists from the Yeongjong-gu Public Health Center visit senior centers in the district to help prevent the progression of frailty and support seniors in maintaining a healthy later life. On site, it operates as a tailored, integrated health service that provides frailty screening, Korean medicine health consultations and self-management education on pain and exercise, and links seniors to the public health center’s in-depth programs when needed.
Since the program began in July, the district has visited seven senior centers in its jurisdiction and provided medical examinations and health consultations to a total of 81 seniors. Screening results showed that only nine were in the normal group, while 54 were in the pre-frail group, the stage preceding frailty, and 18 were in the frail group. With most of those screened falling into risk groups, the district views the results as supporting the need for the prevention program.
Frailty is a concept distinct from the natural decline in physical function that comes with aging, and refers to a state in which physical activity, muscle strength and the ability to perform daily activities have declined overall. Left unaddressed, it can lead to falls and various health problems, making early detection and preventive management important.
Accordingly, the district decided to keep focusing the program’s resources on the early detection of “pre-frail” seniors, those at the stage before frailty sets in earnest. Seniors identified as pre-frail are linked to the public health center’s in-depth programs so they can receive additional management and professional consultations suited to their health condition.
Another feature of the program is its use of senior centers, which older adults frequent in their daily lives, as health management hubs. Seniors who have difficulty traveling to the public health center can receive screenings and consultations in their own living spaces, improving accessibility. The district plans to slow the progression of frailty through integrated management that combines Korean medicine treatment, pain management and exercise.
Jeong Han-suk, director of the Yeongjong-gu Public Health Center, said, “If frailty is detected early and properly managed, it can help slow or prevent its progression,” adding, “We will continue to expand prevention-centered health management services that go directly to seniors’ living spaces so they can receive health care more conveniently.”
The public health center plans to continue its visiting health management services for senior centers in the region, keeping a close watch on seniors’ health and maintaining systematic follow-up care linked to the center’s health management programs.
[ Reporter Kim Mi-hee: incheonsouth@thekoreantoday.com ]
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