"Super-Aged Society, Dementia Cognitive Intervention Therapy Should Be Covered by Health Insurance"

"Great Help in Dementia Prevention through Various Cognitive Function Stimulation, Training, and Rehabilitation"

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] The need to include cognitive intervention therapy, a non-pharmacological treatment method to maintain cognitive function in dementia patients, in health insurance coverage has been raised.

On the 12th, Baek Jong-heon, a member of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee from the People Power Party, held a policy forum titled "How Will We Prevent Dementia in a Super-Aged Society?" together with the Korean Dementia Association. He stated, "The government declared the National Responsibility for Dementia in 2017 and has been promoting various policies aiming for a dementia-free country. However, there are still significant limitations in government-led policy implementation due to insufficient budget support and a lack of public understanding of dementia treatment." He added, "Today's forum is meaningful in that it sets the direction for the perfect implementation of the National Responsibility for Dementia by discussing policies centered on frontline medical staff who provide direct treatment and care services to dementia patients."

Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, attended the forum and said, "Facing national aging, dementia is no longer a problem that individuals can handle alone," adding, "Active discussions are needed on expanding the role of the state considering the financial soundness of health insurance."

Yang Dong-won, director of the Korean Dementia Association, emphasized in his greeting, "Cognitive intervention therapy programs that stimulate, train, and rehabilitate various cognitive functions of our brain can greatly help prevent dementia and maintain cognitive function." He explained, "Except for special cases, dementia can be prevented by controlling only the risk factors of adult diseases. Patients at high risk of dementia and their caregivers can delay the progression of dementia and expect treatment effects by receiving education and practicing lifestyle, dietary habit adjustments, and exercise methods together."

The forum was chaired by Choi Seong-hye, director of the Cognitive Intervention Therapy Association (Neurology Department, Inha University). Attendees included Kim Hye-young, head of the Dementia Policy Division at the Ministry of Health and Welfare; Jo Young-dae, officer of the Health Insurance Benefits Division at the Ministry of Health and Welfare; Jang Jun-ho, manager at the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service; Chae Gyu-han, head of the Medical Device Policy Division at the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety; Choi Ho-jin from Hanyang University Guri Hospital Neurology Department; and Jeon Byung-jin, president of the Korean Association of Occupational Therapists.

Director Choi said, "I hope today's discussion will raise interest in various cognitive intervention therapies and digital healthcare in the dementia field and serve as a catalyst for deriving constructive development plans."