"Memory Companion Mobile Car" Service Doubled to 200 Beneficiaries
New "Memory Plus Window" Offers Walk-in Screenings Without Reservations
Guro District in Seoul is significantly expanding its transportation support services and establishing an immediate testing window to improve access to dementia screenings for seniors.
On December 22, Guro District (headed by Mayor Jang Inhong) announced that, starting in January next year, it will double the number of beneficiaries eligible for the "Memory Companion Mobile Car" service and newly install and operate the "Memory Plus Window" at a branch of the Dementia Safety Center, where screenings and consultations can be conducted without prior reservation.
The "Memory Companion Mobile Car" is a service that assists seniors who have difficulty visiting hospitals by accompanying them for dementia screenings and medical consultations. It targets Guro residents who have no previous history of dementia diagnosis and have trouble visiting hospitals on their own. Staff from the Dementia Safety Center accompany the seniors in the vehicle to ensure safe transportation to medical institutions. Recently, the service received the top award in the early dementia screening category at the "2025 Seoul Dementia Management Project Performance Sharing Event."
Next year, the district will expand the number of people supported from 100 to 200, based on actual headcount, and will actively work to identify those in the blind spots of dementia screening through cooperation with welfare centers and related organizations. The service will operate from January to December next year, and can be used on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for up to four hours per day.
By using the "Memory Companion Mobile Car," seniors can travel between their homes, the Dementia Safety Center, partner hospitals for screenings, and designated primary care clinics. All services are free of charge, and applications can be made by phone (02-2612-7041~4).
The Dementia Safety Center branch located in Oryu-dong (5, Gyeongin-ro 20ga-gil, 5th floor) will launch the new "Memory Plus Window" early next year. Although the branch is just a one-minute walk from Oryu-dong Station and offers excellent transportation access, it has struggled to meet increasing demand due to staff shortages.
The "Memory Plus Window" will operate on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and anyone can receive dementia screening and consultation on a walk-in basis without a reservation. In particular, if a preliminary test indicates cognitive decline in individuals with mobility difficulties, they will be promptly referred for a detailed examination. Additional services, such as dementia consultation, fingerprint registration, and support for treatment management costs, will also be provided without waiting.
For more information, contact the Guro Dementia Safety Center (02-2612-7041~4) or the branch office (02-6952-7056).
Mayor Jang Inhong of Guro District stated, "Many seniors give up on dementia testing or consultation due to issues with reservations and transportation," adding, "We will do our best to ensure that more people can use these services without inconvenience."
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