Ganghwa County Provides Free Early Dementia Screening Year-Round

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Seo Dong-young] Ganghwa County announced on the 2nd that it is providing free early dementia screening year-round at the county health center, local health centers, health clinics, and the Northern Cognitive Health Center for residents aged 60 and older to ensure a healthy retirement.

Early dementia screening is conducted through the dementia screening test (MMSE-DS) to measure and identify cognitive decline. Based on the test results, if cognitive decline is suspected, residents undergo first-stage neuropsychological testing (LICA) and second-stage specialized medical consultation and differential testing (blood tests and brain CT scans) to receive a final dementia diagnosis.

The county supports residents by covering the cost of early dementia screening at no charge. Additionally, for those receiving a final diagnosis of dementia with household income at or below 120% of the median income, the county provides dementia treatment drug costs (personal out-of-pocket expenses up to 30,000 won per month). The county also provides support items such as walkers for the elderly, brain function-enhancing nutritional supplements, diapers, and missing prevention items such as location trackers.

An official from the county health center stated, "It is very important for those aged 60 and older who experience forgetfulness to first visit a nearby health center, local health clinic, or dementia relief center for systematic screening and professional consultation," and urged, "Those aged 75 and above are part of the high-risk group for dementia and should definitely receive early screening."

Meanwhile, the county established a Dementia Management Division at the health center in June to address gaps in dementia care for the elderly, and is integrating the establishment of a system for early dementia screening, patient care, dementia prevention programs, and comprehensive dementia management care services.

The county is also significantly expanding investment in dementia management and operating dedicated public facilities for dementia by region. The Dementia Relief Center at the county health center opened in June 2018, and the Northern Cognitive Health Center in Hajeo-myeon opened in December 2018. The Southern Cognitive Health Center in Gilsang-myeon and the Dementia-Specialized Humanity Center in Bul-eun-myeon are undergoing administrative procedures with completion targeted for next year and the year after next, respectively.

Ganghwa County Governor Yu Cheon-ho stated, "We established the Dementia Management Division to provide quality public health services, including dementia prevention and early screening, which are the greatest concerns for our elderly residents," and added, "We will continue to spare no investment for the healthy retirement of our residents."