The Seoul Metropolitan Government has designated May as the 'Month for Intensive Early Dementia Screening' and will conduct dementia checkups in collaboration with 25 autonomous districts.
The city announced on the 5th that during this month, dementia support centers in each district will conduct outreach screenings by directly visiting community centers and senior welfare centers to facilitate early detection of dementia. The dementia support centers will provide integrated management services, including detailed examinations, specialist consultations and counseling, and cognitive health programs, to dementia patients and individuals with mild cognitive impairment identified through the screenings. They will also offer counseling and various healing programs for patients' families.
The screenings are available to Seoul citizens aged 60 or older who have not received a dementia checkup this year and have not been diagnosed with dementia. Intensive screenings will also be conducted for individuals turning 75 this year and for seniors aged 75 or older living alone, as these age groups have an increased prevalence of dementia. Residents can check the screening schedule for each district on the Seoul Metropolitan Government website (seoul.nid.or.kr). Those wishing to be screened can visit the designated locations during operating hours with their identification cards.
The city stated, "Early detection of dementia and timely initiation of treatment are crucial as they can significantly delay the progression of symptoms and improve the quality of life for patients. Furthermore, preventing the onset of dementia and delaying its progression can reduce the costs and time associated with treatment, thereby alleviating the burden of care on families."
According to the National Medical Center's Central Dementia Center, the annual management cost per severe dementia patient in South Korea was 34.8 million won in 2022, while for those with very mild dementia, it was 16.2 million won. Early detection and treatment can reportedly reduce dementia management costs by 18.6 million won (approximately 53%) annually.
Kim Tae-hee, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government's Public Health Bureau, stated, "We will take the lead in helping citizens overcome dementia by expanding support for dementia patients and their families and promoting proactive prevention initiatives."
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