Seoul Gangseo-gu Former-dong Dementia Safety Center

Gangseo-gu Operates Visiting Dementia Prevention Program 'Eodream' with Dementia Prevention Programs at All 20 Dong Community Centers

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Jong-il] Dementia prevention programs can now be used for free at nearby community service centers.

The Gangseo-gu District Office (Mayor Noh Hyun-song) Dementia Safety Center (Director Jung Ji-hyang) announced that starting in July, it will operate the visiting dementia prevention program "Ear Dream" at 20 community service centers throughout the district.

The program aims to connect the entire district into one health network based at each community service center to help seniors prevent and overcome dementia.

Although the operation of the Gangseo-gu Dementia Safety Center has normalized following the full lifting of social distancing measures, many seniors have difficulty visiting the center due to mobility issues or transportation conditions.

Therefore, the center decided to operate the "Ear Dream" program in cooperation with each community service center so that seniors can comfortably access dementia prevention programs nearby.

The program will be conducted on a rotating basis by district for three months starting in July, featuring four programs: ▲Super Brain ▲Memory Keeper Class ▲Dietary Habit Improvement ▲Lifestyle Improvement.

"Super Brain" is a Korean-style dementia prevention exercise program developed and proven effective by neurology departments of eight university hospitals including Ewha Mokdong Hospital, Seoul National University Hospital, and Ajou University Hospital. The "Memory Keeper Class," developed by the Seoul Metropolitan Dementia Center, involves cognitive training activities using booklets.

Additionally, the "Dietary Habit Improvement" program provides education on proper dietary management methods that help prevent dementia, along with 19 types of mixed grains and nuts. The "Lifestyle Improvement" program offers a personal memory keeper diary and pedometer to help seniors manage dementia risk factors and improve their lifestyle habits independently.

Before the program begins, the center will recruit about 800 seniors, 40 per district, on a first-come, first-served basis from June 27 to July 1 for those wishing to participate.

Any senior aged 65 or older residing in Gangseo-gu can apply, and participation is free of charge. Seniors wishing to participate can apply by phone to the Gangseo-gu Dementia Safety Center.

More detailed information, including the schedule for each district’s program, can be found on the Gangseo-gu Dementia Safety Center website and social media channels such as Facebook and Instagram.

A center official said, "We hope this 'Ear Dream' program will greatly help seniors prevent dementia," adding, "Prevention is the most important factor for a worry-free old age without dementia, so we hope many people will take interest and actively participate."

The Gangseo-gu Dementia Safety Center has been making various efforts to create a dementia-friendly community environment along with overcoming dementia, such as designating Deungchon 3-dong as the third dementia safety village in Gangseo-gu following Ujangsan-dong and Gayang 2-dong on the 14th.