Gangseo-gu Wins Grand Prize for Outstanding Case in Dementia Management Project “Shining Workplace Again”

54 Customized Jobs Created,
Awarded for Three Consecutive Years

Gangseo-gu Dementia Relief Center in Seoul (Mayor Jin Kyohun) received the grand prize in the “Registration and Case Management” category at the 2025 Seoul Metropolitan Government Dementia Management Project Performance Evaluation Competition. This marks the center’s third consecutive award, following the grand prize in 2023 and the excellence award in 2024.

Jin Kyohun, Mayor of Gangseo District. Courtesy of Gangseo District Office.

The Seoul Metropolitan Dementia Center holds an annual competition among 25 dementia relief centers to identify outstanding cases in dementia management projects. The evaluation is divided into five categories: registration and case management, early screening, Memory Friend Leader, public-private partnership specialization, and awareness improvement.

The Gangseo-gu Dementia Relief Center was recognized for its achievements in creating customized jobs tailored to the characteristics of its beneficiaries and establishing a dementia-friendly employment model. Through the “Shining Workplace Again” project, the center provided customized jobs to 54 individuals, including middle-aged residents, early-onset dementia patients, and family members of dementia patients.

Middle-aged residents were trained as dementia caregivers and specialists. After completing professional training, they identified 471 individuals in the early stages of dementia and connected them to services, while also handling 5,931 case management consultations at the dementia relief center.

Early-onset dementia patients under the age of 65 worked as baristas at Chorok Memory Cafe (371 Hwagok-ro). This cafe is unique for preparing beverages using vegetables grown through hydroponic cultivation. From January to the end of October this year, the cafe served an average of 53 customers per day.

Family members who had stopped working due to long-term caregiving visited 209 dementia relief pharmacies to check the availability of dementia information materials and provided guidance on how to connect with the center. In addition, seven seniors who completed the dementia prevention class visited the homes of registered dementia patients living alone, offering a total of 400 companion services to support cognitive training and physical exercise.

Jin Kyohun, Mayor of Gangseo District, stated, “This award is thanks to the efforts of our staff and the cooperation of community organizations who have worked tirelessly on the frontlines to help residents struggling with dementia. We will continue to expand our care infrastructure and develop customized support models so that dementia patients can live comfortably without inconvenience.”