Gimhae City Urges Seniors with Dementia to Seek Protection Through Guardian Appointment

Gimhae City in South Gyeongsang Province has launched a campaign to promote the public guardianship system, aiming to protect the rights and ensure the safety of elderly individuals whose decision-making abilities have been impaired by dementia.

The "Public Guardianship System for Seniors with Dementia" is designed to appoint a legal adult guardian through formal procedures. This guardian assists seniors with dementia in making decisions regarding property management, hospital visits, applications for medical and welfare services, and other legal matters.

Because the guardian manages the senior's property and overall life on their behalf, this system helps prevent financial losses and legal disputes, such as those arising from financial fraud or real estate contracts conducted without the individual's consent.

Gimhae City Public Health Center Dementia Relief Center. Provided by Gimhae City

Even direct family members of seniors with dementia must undergo counseling at the Dementia Relief Center, participate in case meetings, have the head of the local government file a guardianship petition with the court, and go through a court review in order to become a guardian. Additionally, they are required to complete relevant training provided by the court.

Accordingly, Gimhae City is supporting applications for the public guardianship system for seniors with dementia and their families at the Dementia Relief Center.

Heo Mok, Director of the Gimhae City Public Health Center, stated, "Supporting seniors with dementia so they can live safely is an important responsibility of our society," emphasizing, "The public guardianship system will make a significant contribution to improving the quality of life for seniors with dementia."

He added, "We will do our utmost to create an environment where seniors with dementia and their families can feel secure and receive support, and we will actively pursue a variety of support policies."

For more information about the public guardianship system for seniors with dementia, please contact the Gimhae City Dementia Relief Center or the Juchon Dementia Relief Center.