Korean Red Cross Receives Presidential Citation for Distinguished Service in Senior Policy on Dementia Overcoming Day

At the Dementia Overcoming Day ceremony on the 16th, from the left, Kim Cheolsu, Chairman of the Korean Red Cross, and Lee Seuran, First Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, are posing for a commemorative photo. Korean Red Cross

The Korean Red Cross (Chairman Kim Cheolsu) announced that it received the Presidential Citation for Distinguished Service in Senior Policy at the 18th Dementia Overcoming Day event held on the 16th, in recognition of its contributions to senior welfare, including dementia prevention programs.

Since launching its partnership support activities in 2005, the Korean Red Cross has implemented dementia prevention programs such as senior health monitoring and emotional support. Starting in 2024, it has formally introduced dementia-specialized initiatives, designating 15 regional branches nationwide as “Dementia Overcoming Leading Organizations.” Through basic dementia partner training and the Partner Plus curriculum, the organization has trained 8,544 volunteers and staff as specialized personnel. In addition, by collaborating with local dementia safety centers, it has provided prevention-focused welfare services through community campaigns and specialized volunteer activities.

The organization also operates the nationwide dementia prevention campaign “Gijeok (Miracle: Protecting Memories with the Red Cross)” and offers region-specific programs. It has produced and distributed 100,000 dementia prevention pamphlets and 30,000 magnifiers, with over 4,000 volunteers participating in the Dementia Overcoming Day campaign nationwide. Furthermore, it has supplied “dementia prevention kits” containing memory puzzles and coloring books to over 3,000 households, distributed wandering detection devices in collaboration with private companies, and, in partnership with local governments, operates cognitive play activities, exercise classes, and healing camps to expand citizen participation-based dementia prevention efforts.

Kim Cheolsu, Chairman of the Korean Red Cross, stated, “This Presidential Citation is not only a result of the Korean Red Cross’s efforts, but also a miracle created by our volunteers and the local communities working together in the field. The Korean Red Cross will continue to do its utmost to eliminate blind spots in dementia prevention and ensure that everyone can enjoy a healthy and dignified old age.”

In commemoration of Dementia Overcoming Day on September 21, the Korean Red Cross plans to launch the “Gijeok” campaign for dementia prevention. The organization also intends to expand its programs based on a network of related institutions, including the National Dementia Center and hospitals, and to continue strengthening program expertise through volunteer training, taking the lead in the national task of overcoming dementia.

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