Preventing 'Caregiver Homicide'... Minister Cho Kyu-hong Conducts On-site Inspection at Gangneung Dementia Relief Center

On the 18th, Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare, visited the 'Dementia Safety Center' at Gangneung City Health Center in Gangwon to inspect the progress of dementia management projects and health promotion initiatives.

On this day, Minister Cho checked the operation status of health management services and education and publicity programs provided to local residents, including physical activities and obesity prevention.

He also visited the Dementia Safety Center installed within the health center to review the status of programs for caregivers such as ▲early dementia screening ▲rest centers for dementia patients ▲self-help groups, and engaged in conversations with patients' families and local residents.

Minister Cho referred to the incident the previous day where an elderly man in his 80s suffering from dementia and his son in his 50s, who had been nursing him, were found dead together.

He said, "This is a tragic case where a dementia patient and caregiver, unable to receive support from the Dementia Safety Center or long-term care insurance, made an extreme choice," adding, "Since the Dementia Safety Center plays a central role in national dementia support, I ask that you put more effort into discovering dementia patients in the community through initiatives such as the 'visiting dementia screening project' and 'strengthening information linkage with health centers and the National Health Insurance Service.'

There are 256 Dementia Safety Centers installed and operating nationwide, providing customized programs such as dementia prevention, cognitive enhancement classes, and dementia rest centers for dementia patients and their families. Users can check their cognitive health status through early screening (screening → diagnosis → differentiation) after consultation.