Gwangju Nam-gu Provides 'Probiotic Drinks' to Dementia Patients

Government-Sponsored 'Dementia Safety Village Pilot Project' Kicks Off
Support for 300 People... Project Budget of 28.8 Million Won Allocated

Nam-gu, Gwangju announced on the 31st that it will temporarily implement the “Delivering Health with Filial Piety, Dementia Care with Peace of Mind” project until the end of this year to strengthen health management services for dementia patients.

Nam-gu provides weekly deliveries of probiotic drinks to the homes of registered home-based dementia patients and high-risk groups at the Dementia Safety Center, and offers face-to-face services by visiting homes monthly to guide dementia prevention exercises and provide care.

This project is introduced as a result of Nam-gu Dementia Safety Center being designated as the implementing agency in the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s excellent leading project contest for Dementia Safety Villages. In June, the Ministry of Health and Welfare conducted a nationwide contest targeting 256 Dementia Safety Centers to strengthen community-based dementia services and improve dementia awareness, focusing on four categories: ▲missing person prevention safety network ▲social participation of dementia patients ▲creation of safe environments ▲early detection system establishment. Nam-gu Dementia Safety Center proposed the “Delivering Health with Filial Piety, Dementia Care with Peace of Mind” project and was selected as a leading project in the early detection system establishment category.

To promote the project, the district confirmed the participation intention of registered home-based dementia patients and high-risk groups last month and finalized 300 beneficiaries. With a project budget of 28.8 million KRW including national funds, the project is now in full operation. Beneficiaries will receive probiotic drinks delivered twice a week to their homes through a delivery company until the end of this year. Additionally, dementia partner activists visit homes in pairs to provide health management services, including guidance on dementia prevention exercises and fall prevention methods.

A Nam-gu official stated, “We will do our best to ensure that home-based dementia patients can live comfortably and safely in their homes and communities through the implementation of this project.”