On the 5th, Guro District in Seoul announced that it will implement the 'Bathroom Lighting Switch Care ON' project using Internet of Things (IoT) technology to prevent solitary deaths.
The target is 111 high-risk households within Guro District that are at risk of isolation. The bathroom switch will be replaced with a 'smart care switch,' and an outlet that operates on a narrowband Internet of Things communication network will also be installed. This communication network will work in homes that are not connected to the internet. A care app will be installed on the smartphones of elderly individuals.
Once the installation is complete, if the bathroom switch or outlet has not been used for a certain period, the care app installed on the smartphone will be used to check the elderly individual's status. This app analyzes information such as whether the smartphone's lock screen has been unlocked, text message and currency sending/receiving records, and charging status. It can determine whether the elderly individual simply went out or is in a crisis situation. The control center will monitor for abnormal responses in real time.
Elderly individuals wishing to participate in the project can visit their local community center. Jang In-hong, the head of Guro District Office, said, “This project is a proactive response system for households at risk of isolation and will serve as a turning point in creating a more thorough care environment.” This project was initiated after being selected for the 'Crisis Response Project for Households at Risk of Isolation Using Smart Technology' solicited by the Seoul Metropolitan Government.