Naju-si Recognized for Excellence in Dementia Program with Minister of Health and Welfare Commendation

Published 21 Sep.2023 11:36(KST)

Naju City in Jeollanam-do was selected as an excellent institution for dementia program operation and received a commendation from the Minister of Health and Welfare at the ‘16th Dementia Overcoming Day’ ceremony held on the 20th at Jangseong Culture and Arts Center, hosted by the Jeollanam-do Regional Dementia Center.

Naju City received a commendation from the Minister of Health and Welfare for being selected as an outstanding institution on Dementia Overcoming Day.
[Photo by Naju City]

According to the city on the 21st, the Ministry of Health and Welfare shares programs from various local governments aimed at improving social awareness and reducing prejudice against dementia through the ceremony, and awards honors to individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to overcoming dementia.

The Naju Dementia Safety Center was recognized for its active promotion of multifaceted projects such as early dementia screening, prevention and management projects, and dementia support services.

In particular, since October 2020, through an agreement with the Jeollanam-do Forest Resources Research Institute, a forest healing farm was established on the institute’s idle land, helping dementia patients and their families recover and stabilize their minds and bodies through one household one garden activities.

Additionally, the elderly care project utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) speakers was evaluated as an innovative policy.

This project, introduced last year, distributes AI speakers equipped with functions such as companionship and check-ins, medication guidance, and emergency calls, providing a new concept of care system that supports the daily safety and emotional support of elderly people aged 70 and over, including those living alone and dementia patients.

The city provided devices to 45 vulnerable individuals, including 10 dementia patients, 15 people with cognitive decline, and 20 elderly living alone aged 75 or older.

Along with the center, Mr. Na Jeong-muk (male, 85), a resident of Yeongsan-dong who has worked hard to discover vulnerable dementia groups in the community and prevent missing dementia patients, received a commendation from the Governor of Jeollanam-do for his contributions, marking a double celebration.

Mr. Na said, “I only contributed a small effort so that dementia elderly and their families, who are peers and neighbors in the community, could live together comfortably, but I am truly grateful to receive such an honorable commendation.”

Mayor Yoon Byung-tae encouraged the center staff regarding the award, saying, “This is a valuable achievement made possible through the active cooperation of not only patients and families but also the community and residents to overcome dementia, a challenging issue in the super-aged era.”

He added, “Through Naju’s differentiated dementia policies such as a three-year full survey on dementia, designation of 180 ‘Safe Senior Centers for 100-year-olds,’ and appointment and operation of 100-year-old care managers, we will do our best to ensure that residents of Naju can spend their later years safely without worries about dementia.”