Dongdaemun-gu Expands Care for Families of Dementia Patients

Education and Healing Programs for Families of Dementia Patients, Support Group Operation... Helping Relieve Stress and Depression

Healing Program

Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Pil-hyung) will expand its care programs for families caring for dementia patients starting in February.

The district, which is promoting various projects for dementia patients centered around two Dongdaemun-gu Dementia Safety Centers (main office and branch), is focusing not only on dementia patients but also on supporting the families who care for them.

The district supports families of dementia patients through three care program categories: ▲family education ▲healing programs ▲self-help groups.

The ‘family education’ program is designed to enhance families' caregiving capabilities by providing accurate knowledge and information about dementia, and educating them on specific coping methods for changes and symptoms at each stage of dementia.

Starting February 6, online education will be conducted twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) via the ZOOM app, and on February 16, an educational program will be held in collaboration with the Dongdaemun-gu Mental Health Welfare Center.

The ‘healing program’ includes counseling, cultural arts, reading, and forest experiences for patient families. In particular, the ‘Parutparut Memory Garden’ planned for March at the Jungnangcheon Urban Agriculture Experience Center is designed to help dementia patient families cultivate a garden together and find emotional stability, according to district officials.

The ‘self-help groups,’ which aim to prevent social isolation by fostering bonds among families of dementia patients, will also be held regularly once a week.

Lee Pil-hyung, Mayor of Dongdaemun-gu, said, “We have prepared various support measures to ease the caregiving burden on families of dementia patients,” adding, “We hope these programs will help families maintain a healthy life.”