Gyeonggi Province Expands 24-Hour Care Services for Severely Disabled Persons Requiring Emergency Protection

[Suwon Ilbo=Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province announced on the 5th that it will expand and operate the 'Disabled Persons 365 Rest Shelter' to 13 locations this year.

The 'Disabled Persons 365 Rest Shelter Operation Support Project' designates disabled residential facilities (including short-term residential facilities for the disabled) with unutilized spaces as 365 Rest Shelters to provide temporary care services for severely disabled persons requiring emergency protection when unforeseen circumstances such as caregivers' hospitalization, family occasions, or travel occur.

The shelters first opened in 2019 in four locations: Gunpo, Icheon, Namyangju, and Yangju. Last year, they operated in 10 locations: Seongnam, Bucheon, Ansan, Siheung, Gwangju, Gunpo, Yangpyeong, Namyangju, Uijeongbu, and Yangju. This year, additional facilities will be established in Icheon, Yeoju, and Pocheon, with a total of 13 locations expected to operate.

The shelters operate 24 hours, seven days a week with an admission capacity of 4 people, classified into two types: 'emergency admission' and 'general admission.'

'Emergency admission' applies to cases where prompt admission is necessary due to reasons such as a caregiver's hospital hospitalization or family occasions, and requires supporting documents. Up to four people can be given priority admission. 'General admission' applies to cases other than emergency admission reasons, such as a caregiver's travel, and cannot exceed two people.

Shelter residents can stay for up to 30 days, and for only 20,000 won per day, they can receive various professional services including ▲temporary care: provision of basic services such as temporary protection of the disabled, meals and lodging, and daily living support ▲medical support: treatment support in case of emergencies ▲other support: coordination and support with other social welfare facilities and community resources.

Disabled persons or their caregivers wishing to use the facility can apply after receiving admission consultation directly at the disabled residential facility operating the 365 Rest Shelter.

Park Sang-eung, head of the Gyeonggi Province Disabled Welfare Division, said, "We will do our best in operation and management so that the 365 Rest Shelter can greatly contribute to improving the quality of life of disabled persons and alleviating caregivers' care burden."