Jongno-gu 'Visiting Memory Recharge Station' Operated at Community Service Centers and Autonomous Community Halls

Advance reservations accepted, professional staff visit community centers for testing... 1:1 individual testing takes about 20 minutes... After testing, a small souvenir and dementia prevention educational materials are provided

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jongno-gu (Mayor Kim Young-jong) is operating a free screening test called 'Visiting Memory Recharge Station' at each neighborhood community center and autonomous community hall until December this year, so that residents can spend a healthy and enjoyable old age without worrying about dementia.

Last year, due to the impact of COVID-19, non-face-to-face and 1:1 reservation screenings were introduced, but there were various difficulties such as distance issues and the risk of infectious disease spread.

Therefore, this year, to improve this, professional personnel visit the neighborhood community centers directly to conduct the tests after receiving prior reservations, greatly enhancing the convenience for local residents.

The test targets residents aged 60 or older living in the district.

If you wish to apply, you can call the Jongno-gu Dementia Safety Center, check the visit schedule for each neighborhood, and make a reservation.

The test is conducted individually on a 1:1 basis and is completely free of charge. It consists of a cognitive screening test (CIST), dementia prevention education, and related counseling, taking about 20 minutes.

If the test results classify cognitive decline, a detailed examination will be conducted, and after the test, a small souvenir and dementia prevention educational materials are also provided.

Jongno-gu is also making efforts at the neighborhood community center level to prevent dementia among local seniors. At Hyehwa-dong Community Center, a dementia prevention craft class for seniors called ‘Sil-eun Ieum, Gieok-eun Cha-eum’ string art class is held once a month until July.

This program was prepared to revitalize the lives of seniors who are at increased risk of lethargy and depression due to prolonged COVID-19 restrictions on outdoor activities and to help prevent dementia.

The participants are seniors who have undergone early dementia screening through the Visiting Memory Recharge Station. Under the guidance of visiting nurses and in compliance with COVID-19 prevention rules, they spend time wrapping thread to create craft works.

Meanwhile, Jongno-gu opened the Dementia Safety Center in 2009 and has been striving to reduce the mental, physical, and economic burdens of patients and their families.

The center operates dementia awareness improvement and prevention, early detection, family classes, cognitive rehabilitation programs, and provides appropriate management at each stage. It also offers ‘integrated dementia management services’ such as support for dementia screening and treatment costs for low-income groups and building a dementia support network linking community resources.

For more details about using the center, please refer to the Dementia Safety Center website.

Mayor Kim Young-jong said, “In line with the Ministry of Health and Welfare’s dementia policy project, we have operated the Memory Recharge Station to contribute to dementia prevention and early detection at the community level and to improve residents’ quality of life.” He added, “We will continue to make efforts to help dementia patients and their families and to create a community where everyone can live without worry, whether or not they have dementia.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.