Elderly people take a break from the scorching sun at the Pagoda Park in Seoul. Health authorities warn that the heat wave currently gripping the nation could pose serious health threats to the elderly./Korea Times
SEOUL (The Korea Times) August 6, 2006:
With the country gripped by a heat wave, health authorities warn that the severe weather could pose a serious health hazard for the elderly, especially those living alone.
As the mercury soared over 30 degrees Celsius in most parts of the country in the past weeks, there have been increasing reports of heat-related illnesses and even deaths.
Police in Pusan Saturday found the body of a woman believed to be in her 70s near the city's harbor, who appeared to have collapsed in the mid-day heat that reached over 35 degrees.
On Friday, a 65-year-old woman collapsed and died while working in a chili field near her house in Naju, South Cholla Province.
According to the Korean Meteorological Association (KMA), the death rate of people over 65 increases significantly when temperatures rise over 32 degrees, based on data collected since 1994.
On the days when the mercury hit over 35.7 degrees, the elderly death rate was 25 percent higher than average summer days, the KMA said.
The hot weather becomes more of a threat to senior citizens who don't have family members or others to care for them.
"It is very hot, and I want to a take shower with cold water but I have no one to help me," said 67-year-old Choi Kyong-hee, who suffers from back pains. She has lived alone for five years.
Food is important for the elderly to deal with the heat, but many eat poorly and some eat stale foods, resulting in food poisoning and stomachaches.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare has a program for seniors living alone. It operates "Lonely Elders One Stop Center Plan" using welfare centers and nursing houses.
However, many civil servants responsible for seniors don't know about the plan.
The Senior Citizens' Welfare Division said Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters manages the plan while the headquarters said the welfare division is responsible for managing seniors' programs.
"We make the plans, but it is hard to monitor whether each district office carries out the plans all the time," said Kim Mi-sun at the ministry.
The ministry newly introduced a "cooling center" plan to cope with sizzling heat this summer. In this plan, the ministry designated district offices, senior houses, and banks as cooling centers to help elders escape from the hot weather. However, many of the designated cooling centers are not equipped with air conditioners or medicines.
Lee Eun-young of Nowon-gu office said a shortage of funds is the cause of the poor operation of the programs for seniors living alone.
The rise in the number of aged living alone is another reason the government has difficulty in supporting welfare aid and home care. Although government offices try to take care of many seniors, they cannot support all seniors living alone.
"We try to care for as many seniors as possible, but not many report their situation," said Jung Hyee-ok who is in charge of elder support service at Yongho-dong Office in Pusan.
Many religious organizations are helping seniors in the heat wave. Kang Mong-song, 82, recently went to the hospital with the help from a nearby church. She suffered from heart problems because she had the fan on all night.
"Because some elders who live alone have children, they are not eligible for government help. But they need help because their children don't take care of them. Our church will continue to help these elders who live alone," said Joo Myong-ja, a pastor's wife at New Eden Church in Pusan.
By Kang Shin-who
Copyright © Korea Times
August 6, 2006
KOREA: Elderly Vulnerable in Heat Wave
Elderly people take a break from the scorching sun at the Pagoda Park in Seoul. Health authorities warn that the heat wave currently gripping the nation could pose serious health threats to the elderly./Korea Times
SEOUL (The Korea Times) August 6, 2006:
With the country gripped by a heat wave, health authorities warn that the severe weather could pose a serious health hazard for the elderly, especially those living alone.
As the mercury soared over 30 degrees Celsius in most parts of the country in the past weeks, there have been increasing reports of heat-related illnesses and even deaths.
Police in Pusan Saturday found the body of a woman believed to be in her 70s near the city's harbor, who appeared to have collapsed in the mid-day heat that reached over 35 degrees.
On Friday, a 65-year-old woman collapsed and died while working in a chili field near her house in Naju, South Cholla Province.
According to the Korean Meteorological Association (KMA), the death rate of people over 65 increases significantly when temperatures rise over 32 degrees, based on data collected since 1994.
On the days when the mercury hit over 35.7 degrees, the elderly death rate was 25 percent higher than average summer days, the KMA said.
The hot weather becomes more of a threat to senior citizens who don't have family members or others to care for them.
"It is very hot, and I want to a take shower with cold water but I have no one to help me," said 67-year-old Choi Kyong-hee, who suffers from back pains. She has lived alone for five years.
Food is important for the elderly to deal with the heat, but many eat poorly and some eat stale foods, resulting in food poisoning and stomachaches.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare has a program for seniors living alone. It operates "Lonely Elders One Stop Center Plan" using welfare centers and nursing houses.
However, many civil servants responsible for seniors don't know about the plan.
The Senior Citizens' Welfare Division said Seoul Metropolitan Fire and Disaster Headquarters manages the plan while the headquarters said the welfare division is responsible for managing seniors' programs.
"We make the plans, but it is hard to monitor whether each district office carries out the plans all the time," said Kim Mi-sun at the ministry.
The ministry newly introduced a "cooling center" plan to cope with sizzling heat this summer. In this plan, the ministry designated district offices, senior houses, and banks as cooling centers to help elders escape from the hot weather. However, many of the designated cooling centers are not equipped with air conditioners or medicines.
Lee Eun-young of Nowon-gu office said a shortage of funds is the cause of the poor operation of the programs for seniors living alone.
The rise in the number of aged living alone is another reason the government has difficulty in supporting welfare aid and home care. Although government offices try to take care of many seniors, they cannot support all seniors living alone.
"We try to care for as many seniors as possible, but not many report their situation," said Jung Hyee-ok who is in charge of elder support service at Yongho-dong Office in Pusan.
Many religious organizations are helping seniors in the heat wave. Kang Mong-song, 82, recently went to the hospital with the help from a nearby church. She suffered from heart problems because she had the fan on all night.
"Because some elders who live alone have children, they are not eligible for government help. But they need help because their children don't take care of them. Our church will continue to help these elders who live alone," said Joo Myong-ja, a pastor's wife at New Eden Church in Pusan.
By Kang Shin-who
Copyright © Korea Times
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