Pohang Nam-gu Health Center Provides Strong Support for Seniors with Dementia... Conducts 'Dementia Partner' Training Program

Performing the Role of 'Community Dementia Guardians'

Pohang Nam-gu Public Health Center Dementia Safety Center conducted training to nurture 'Dementia Partners,' a reliable support system for elderly people with dementia.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] The Dementia Safety Center at Nam-gu Public Health Center in Pohang, Gyeongbuk, conducted dementia partner training for 40 happiness helpers at senior centers on the 14th.

A ‘dementia partner’ refers to a warm companion who, based on an understanding of dementia, shows consideration for dementia patients and their families in daily life.

The training was conducted for 40 happiness helpers who manage local senior centers and operate leisure programs. It included an introduction to the Dementia Safety Center’s projects, the importance of early screening, and the role of dementia partners.

Happiness helpers provide useful information and programs related to safety and hygiene to elderly users of senior centers, and serve as welfare coordinators who address welfare blind spots, including elderly people who do not use senior centers, by linking them to welfare services.

Through dementia partner training, happiness helpers provide dementia counseling, promotion, and information to the elderly in the community, playing the role of ‘community dementia guardians’ who lead efforts to improve dementia awareness.

Lee Bun-nam, Director of Health Management at Nam-gu Public Health Center, said, “We expect that the dementia partner training for happiness helpers in charge of senior centers will greatly help promote dementia prevention and early screening, as well as establish a dementia safety net system.”

For more details, please contact the Dementia Safety Center at Nam-gu, Pohang City.