Yeonggwang-gun's 'Visiting Dementia Awareness Improvement Education' Receives Positive Response

Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do, has been conducting a “Visiting Dementia Awareness Improvement Education, Campaign, and Cognitive Screening Test” sequentially since February at 391 senior centers within the county, targeting over 15,000 elderly people, receiving great responses.

According to the county on the 7th, this traveling education program was prepared to provide accurate information about dementia, raise awareness of the importance of early detection through preventive practices and cognitive screening tests, and expand the perception that people with dementia can live together in the community rather than only going to facilities or hospitals.

Yeonggwang-gun has been receiving great responses to its dementia awareness improvement education program, which has been visiting 391 senior centers in the area and targeting over 15,000 people since February.
[Photo by Yeonggwang-gun]

By the end of last month, dementia prevention education and campaigns were conducted for about 2,000 people at 132 senior centers, and through early screening, 14 new dementia patients and 5 individuals with mild cognitive impairment were identified, receiving positive feedback from dementia patients and their families.

The dementia prevalence rate among those aged 65 and older in Yeonggwang-gun is 12.58%, higher than Jeollanam-do’s 12.19% and the national rate of 10.38%. Among an estimated 2,017 dementia patients, 1,986 are registered and managed. With an aging rate of 30.8%, indicating a super-aged society, the number of dementia patients and prevalence rate in the county continue to rise.

County Governor Kang Jong-man stated, “In this era of super-aging, we will establish differentiated dementia prevention programs and early screening systems so that all residents can enjoy a healthy old age, and strengthen support systems to reduce the caregiving burden on dementia patients and their families.”

Meanwhile, Yeonggwang-gun Public Health Center plans to offer free cognitive screening tests at township and town health clinics and health care posts starting from the 19th, to facilitate early dementia screening for elderly residents who had difficulty visiting the Dementia Safety Center due to distance.

Yeonggwang = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Lee Jeonseong baekok@asiae.co.kr