Naju-si Conducts 'Dementia Screening Survey' for Residents Aged 60 and Over

Naju City in Jeollanam-do is accelerating a comprehensive dementia survey to enable residents to proactively prevent dementia in response to the ultra-aged society.

According to the Naju Public Health Center Dementia Safety Center on the 12th, the city launched a full dementia survey targeting citizens aged 60 and over starting in April this year, as part of the three-year plan for the ‘Naju-type Early Dementia Screening.’

Naju City Health Center is conducting a dementia preliminary survey targeting citizens aged 60 and over.
[Photo by Naju City]

The comprehensive survey was prepared to reorganize the dementia screening project, which had a gap due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, to discover dementia elderly patients in blind spots of care, and to provide customized dementia services for patients and their families.

According to Naju’s population statistics, as of the end of August this year, the population aged 60 and over in the jurisdiction is 37,883, accounting for 32.3% of the total population.

Entering an ultra-aged society where the elderly population ratio exceeds 20% of the total population, Statistics Korea’s projections estimate that by 2030, the number will reach 44,212, and by 2040, 54,926, which will be 46% of the total population.

The number of dementia patients is also showing an increasing trend. According to statistics, the number of dementia patients was 1,919 in 2019 and increased 1.9 times to 3,667 in 2022 over three years.

Accordingly, Naju City is promoting free early dementia screening for about 37,200 citizens aged 60 and over under the three-year plan.

The target for this year is 12,000 people, and as of September, 7,874 people have been screened.

Screening candidates can receive free screening by visiting the Dementia Safety Center, public health branch offices, or clinics directly. For those who have difficulty moving or visiting, outreach screening is conducted through village senior centers and home visits.

Through this, 526 dementia patients and 508 individuals with cognitive decline or mild cognitive impairment suspected of dementia were identified.

Screening candidates are registered and managed in the Dementia Safety Integrated Management System (ANSYS), and customized services such as dementia test fees, dementia treatment management fees, dementia patient care supplies, and identification tags for wandering elderly are provided.

The Naju Public Health Center Dementia Safety Center is promoting the comprehensive survey project through various channels for smooth implementation. Dementia screening is actively promoted through banners, electronic display boards, village announcements, mail, and text messages.

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae said, “Early diagnosis, prevention, and timely treatment of dementia are very important, so we are accelerating the comprehensive survey for the healthy and safe elderly life of citizens.”

He added, “We will do our best to create a dementia-friendly city where dementia patients, their families, and the local community can overcome dementia together and live with peace of mind.”

Naju = Kim Yukbong, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr