Gyeonggi-do Supports Medical Expenses for 2,640 Elderly Depression Patients Last Year

Poster for Elderly Depression Patient Treatment Program in Gyeonggi-do

The number of elderly patients with depression in Gyeonggi Province has been rapidly increasing.

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 8th that it provided treatment expenses support for 2,640 elderly patients with depression last year. This is a 14-fold increase compared to 191 patients in the previous year (2022).

The elderly depression treatment expense support program is for residents of Gyeonggi Province aged 65 or older diagnosed with F32~39 (such as depressive episodes). It provides up to 360,000 KRW per person annually for outpatient treatment expenses regardless of registration at mental health welfare centers or income criteria.

Those who receive treatment expense support are registered and managed at each city or county mental health welfare center to receive continuous counseling and treatment. Applications and inquiries for treatment expense support can be detailed through the mental health welfare center in the applicant’s jurisdiction.

Many elderly people experience depressive symptoms due to decreased physical ability and social relationships but are unable to receive treatment due to reasons such as "financial difficulties."

Last year, Gyeonggi Province significantly increased the elderly depression treatment expense support from 200,000 KRW to 360,000 KRW.

Lee Myung-su, head of the Gyeonggi Province Mental Health Welfare Project Support Group (psychiatrist), advised, "There are many cases where the appropriate treatment timing is missed due to misunderstandings about elderly depression. Since depression or personality changes can be prodromal symptoms of dementia, it is important to visit a hospital for an accurate diagnosis and receive medication, mental, and cognitive therapy when symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, and lethargy occur. Maintaining proper exercise and a healthy diet is also crucial to prevent decreased physical activity."

Meanwhile, according to the 2020 Ministry of Health and Welfare Elderly Survey, the rate of depressive symptoms was 13.5%, and depressive symptoms were found to worsen with increasing age.

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