Dementia Patient Population Surpasses 1 Million... Gyeonggi Province's 'Dementia Relief Centers' Provide Prevention to Family Care Support

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gapdong] As the number of dementia patients nationwide is expected to exceed 1 million next year, Gyeonggi Province has stepped up active promotion of one-stop support through 46 dementia relief centers covering prevention, diagnosis, and family care.

According to the 'Dementia Epidemiology and Prevalence Survey 2023' announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in March, the number of dementia patients as of 2025 is projected at 970,000, with forecasts exceeding 1 million next year. In particular, as the prevalence rate of dementia in the population aged 75 and older is rapidly increasing, the importance of dementia prevention and early detection is being increasingly emphasized.

In response, Gyeonggi Province operates one regional dementia center and 46 dementia relief centers based on the Dementia Management Act, with more than 800 workers engaged in dementia management initiatives.

Gyeonggi Province residents not yet diagnosed with dementia can visit a dementia relief center for free dementia screening. Through simple screening tests, if cognitive decline is suspected, residents can undergo diagnostic and differential diagnostic tests through cooperating physicians at the dementia relief centers and contracted hospitals.

Dementia patients and their families can receive customized services including △dementia treatment and management cost support △dementia patient respite services △care supplies support (such as diapers needed for patient care) △dementia patient family education classes △healing programs and more. Residents not yet diagnosed with dementia can also participate in △dementia prevention classes △cognitive enhancement classes △dementia awareness improvement activities and more.

In particular, the province is operating 'Dementia Family Care Peace Leave' as a specialized initiative for 2025. This program alleviates the physical and mental burden on families caring for dementia patients by providing support of up to 300,000 won annually for hospitalization or care costs within 10 days per year.

Additionally, starting this year, income restrictions have been eliminated for dementia differential diagnostic test cost support (up to 110,000 won), and the income criteria for dementia treatment cost support (360,000 won annually) has been expanded from 120% of median household income to 140% of median household income, ensuring more dementia patients and caregivers can benefit from these programs.

Yoo Young-chul, Director of the Health and Wellness Bureau, stated, "We will work together with the dementia relief centers to ensure dementia patients and their families in Gyeonggi Province can live dignified lives within the community, and furthermore, enable Gyeonggi Province residents to live healthy and happy lives without concerns about dementia."

For detailed inquiries regarding dementia, residents can contact their local dementia relief center or the dementia consultation call center (1899-9988).