Gurye-gun Resumes Operation of Self-Help Groups for Dementia Patients and Families

Reducing Psychological Burden and Preventing Isolation through Emotional and Information Exchange among Family Members

[Gurye=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Yuk Miseok] On the 16th, Gurye-gun, Jeollanam-do announced that it is operating self-help groups to help dementia patients and their families reduce psychological burdens through emotional and informational exchange among family members and to prevent social isolation.

It is expected that exchanges among families of dementia patients, who are exhausted from caregiving burdens due to COVID-19, will relieve physical vitality and emotional suppression.

The self-help groups are held once a month, and any family member or caregiver of a dementia patient who wishes to participate can join.

In this month's first session, in celebration of Family Month, a carnation flowerpot making program was conducted to help caregivers relieve stress from caregiving, and various programs such as dementia education, art therapy, laughter therapy, and healing programs will be provided.

A caregiver participating in the program said, "Spending time with families of dementia patients allows me to obtain various information related to dementia and relieve stress. Especially, I am grateful to have the leisure to reflect on myself and put down the burden of caregiving."

The Gurye-gun Dementia Safety Center had reduced or suspended face-to-face programs and operated non-face-to-face programs, dementia counseling, and reservation systems for examinations due to the spread of COVID-19. However, since early this month, it has resumed normal operations by restarting face-to-face programs such as dementia prevention classes, dementia patient shelters, customized case management, and dementia family classes.

A representative of the Dementia Safety Center said, "With the Dementia Safety Center operating normally, we hope for the active interest and participation of dementia seniors and their families in all programs provided. All staff will strive to alleviate even a little of the pain and burden of dementia seniors and their families."

Gurye=Asia Economy Reporter Yuk Miseok kun5783@asiae.co.kr

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