Dramatic Rescue of Dementia Elderly Isolated by Cold Wave Just Before Starvation

Dramatic Rescue of Elderly Living Alone in Remote House Through Snow Removal Amid Icy Conditions

An elderly dementia patient stranded due to road icing in Gabuk-myeon, Geochang-gun, has been rescued and is receiving medical treatment at a hospital. (Photo by Geochang-gun)

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] “I am worried that an elderly person suffering from dementia might starve to death due to icy roads caused by snow and cold waves.”

In the midst of a cold wave with temperatures fluctuating around minus 10 degrees Celsius, an urgent phone call came to the Gabuk-myeon Office in Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam Province.

“We are concerned about the nutritional deficiency and disappearance caused by dementia of Mr. B, a solitary elderly person who usually suffers from dementia.” Upon receiving the urgent call from a local long-term care worker, the village chief and residents joined forces to carry out snow removal work and barely reached Mr. B’s house.

Mr. B, a solitary elderly person living in a remote house, was fighting the cold but did not appear to have serious health problems.

After providing emergency measures, the public officials personally accompanied him to the hospital and assisted with hospitalization treatment.

They also spared no administrative support to ensure he could fully receive medical support services.

The news that a life was saved thanks to the help of public officials, who prevented a potentially dangerous situation, warmed the hearts of those around.

The head of Gabuk-myeon said, “Due to COVID-19 and the winter cold wave, solitary elderly people in blind spots of care may occur, so we will do our best to safely get through the winter by conducting a full survey of elderly welfare services, visiting sites, and discovering and supporting at-risk households.”

Meanwhile, in Gabuk-myeon, Geochang-gun, snow removal in blind spots where snow removal vehicles cannot enter, such as in front of houses and village alleys, is carried out through the voluntary participation of village residents, which is realistically difficult in rural areas with many elderly people.