[Interview] Park Sang-gil, Gwangju Nam-gu Council Member, "Regular Surveys Needed to Assess Dementia Patients' Status"

Claim for Accurate Basic Data Needed for Effective Dementia Policy Development

Proposal of 'Dementia Management Support Full Revision Ordinance' Including a Survey Every 5 Years

"Remove Eligibility Requirements and Fully Cover Testing Costs.

Park Sang-gil, a member of the Nam-gu Council in Gwangju Metropolitan City, is explaining that regular surveys and other measures should be conducted to efficiently support dementia patients in the region.

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Park Jin-hyung] '2192'. This is the number of dementia patients supported and managed by Nam-gu, Gwangju Metropolitan City.

'3968'. This is the estimated number of dementia patients aged 60 and over in Nam-gu, as estimated by the Central Dementia Center of the National Medical Center. It can be seen that the number of dementia patients identified by the local autonomous district and the central government is quite different.

This discrepancy is analyzed to result from reliance on 'self-registration,' where dementia patients submit prescriptions to the Nam-gu Dementia Safety Center.

Ultimately, a significant number appear to be left in the blind spots of administrative and welfare services.

Therefore, voices are emerging that instead of relying on patients' voluntary reporting, administrative agencies should actively seek out dementia patients.

We heard from Park Sang-gil, a member of the Gwangju Nam-gu Council, who is advocating this claim.

In an interview with Asia Economy on the 22nd, Councilor Park said, "To develop effective dementia policies, basic data must first be prepared," adding, "A full survey should be conducted to properly grasp the status of dementia patients in the region."

Councilor Park recently proposed the 'Nam-gu Gwangju Dementia Management Support Ordinance Amendment Bill,' which was his first campaign pledge.

The ordinance includes provisions that the district mayor must conduct a status survey every five years to establish an implementation plan for efficient dementia management projects.

Some local governments nationwide have conducted such surveys, with some achieving nearly a 30 percentage point increase in patient registration rates.

Councilor Park explained, "Big data on dementia patients’ gender, household size, economic level, etc., should be built, analyzed, and utilized," and "It is known that the progression of dementia in elderly living alone is five times faster than in general patients. Customized support considering individual circumstances is necessary."

He also argued, "The number of dementia patients in Nam-gu is 7.3 per 100 elderly people, higher than the national average," and "Public sector dementia support services must be further strengthened in preparation for a super-aged society."

Furthermore, he reiterated the urgency of establishing pioneering policies, stating, "There are 910,000 dementia patients nationwide, and our society is about to enter a dementia society with over one million dementia patients."

He also voiced the need to significantly expand the eligibility for related tests to enable early detection of dementia patients.

Currently, to receive dementia diagnostic tests such as Cognitive Impairment Screening Test (CIST), Diagnostic Test (CERAD-K), and Differential Tests (MRI·CT) through the Dementia Safety Center, one must be aged 60 or older and belong to a household with income below 120% of the median, with several tens of thousands of won in costs incurred.

Councilor Park said, "The eligibility criteria should be removed, and the cost of dementia tests should be fully supported for all residents," explaining, "Early detection of dementia can reduce nursing hospital admission rates by about 50% and significantly reduce social costs."

He added, "If early treatment begins, families of dementia patients can enjoy about 7,900 more hours of leisure over the next eight years and save about 63 million won."

He noted that many dementia patients’ caregivers quit their jobs or reduce working hours, resulting in considerable social costs.

He also suggested that the Nam-gu Dementia Safety Center should establish cooperative partnerships with private health and welfare institutions and organizations.

The center opened on December 1, 2017, following the Moon Jae-in administration’s introduction of the National Dementia Responsibility System, and operates programs that assist with early dementia screening services, dementia prevention, and cognitive rehabilitation for dementia patients. Currently, 21 staff members, including one cooperating physician, are working there.

Councilor Park claimed, "I am not sure if the Dementia Safety Center is properly functioning as a control tower. It seems to lack publicness and accountability."

Therefore, he said, "A platform for discussion to strengthen dementia care services should be formed by building partnerships with academia, medical professionals, care experts, and dementia patient family organizations to share resources by institution."

Finally, Councilor Park added, "The perception that 'dementia is a frightening disease' should be widely spread to increase participation in dementia diagnostic tests," and "Regular promotional campaigns, including Dementia Overcoming Day on September 21 each year, should be conducted to transform the city into a happy city for the elderly."