Kim Yong-nam Announces Promise to Build 'Senior Dementia Specialized Center'

Kim Yong-nam, Saenuri Party's preliminary candidate for Suwon mayor, announced on the 13th that he will "build a municipal long-term care facility called the 'Senior Dementia Specialized Center' to cut the waiting period for elderly residents suffering from dementia and other age-related diseases to enter care facilities in half."

Through a press release that day, Candidate Kim stated, "There are 66 long-term care facilities in Suwon where elderly residents suffering from dementia and other age-related diseases can stay for extended periods, but as of March, the number of people on the waiting list has reached 337, with waiting periods reportedly taking up to nearly one year," making this pledge.

In particular, among long-term care facilities in Suwon, the waiting list at three public facilities operated by the Suwon Facility Management Corporation and social welfare organizations stands at 278 people, accounting for 85% of the total waiting list in Suwon, according to Candidate Kim's explanation, demonstrating that citizens' preference for public facilities is relatively higher compared to private facilities.

At the Suwon Municipal Senior Care Facility entrusted and operated by the Won Buddhism Founding Memorial Foundation, the waiting list has reached 162 people, exceeding the capacity of 145. At the Suwon Long-term Care Support Center operated by the Suwon Facility Management Corporation, nearly twice the capacity of 20 people—38 people—are waiting for admission, Candidate Kim revealed.

To address this issue, Candidate Kim announced that "we will build the 'Senior Dementia Specialized Center' by 2018, which can accommodate 150 elderly residents suffering from dementia and other age-related diseases, cutting the waiting period for facility admission in half."

Once the 'Senior Dementia Specialized Center' is completed, elderly residents recognized as grades 1-2 in long-term care requirements due to dementia and other age-related diseases will be able to enter, while grade 3 patients will be able to enter only if they are 'facility benefit recipients.'

Regarding the funding acquisition plan, considering that the National Health Insurance Service is currently building an elderly care facility with a 28.8 billion won investment in Segok-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul in consultation with Gangnam-gu, capable of accommodating 150 elderly residents, Candidate Kim stated he plans to consult with the Service regarding a cost-sharing arrangement.

Candidate Kim stated, "As our society is rapidly aging, the number of elderly residents suffering from dementia and other age-related diseases continues to increase," and pledged, "If elected mayor, I will not leave the protection of elderly dementia patients solely to families, and will significantly expand Suwon's role."