Naju City, located in Gwangju, is achieving notable success in enhancing early screening for high-risk dementia groups.
This success is attributed to the early detection of pre-dementia stages and timely, tailored management.
According to Naju City, an analysis of recent changes in dementia prevalence and early screening outcomes revealed a decrease in overall dementia rates, while the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment, a pre-dementia stage, is on the rise.
The city attributes the increase in early detection cases to the activation of early dementia screening initiatives, which have facilitated timely management.
From 2023 to 2025, Naju conducted a comprehensive early dementia screening survey, resulting in 39,723 screenings and the early identification of 1,635 dementia patients.
This year, the city is intensifying early screenings, particularly for high-risk groups.
To encourage participation, Naju sent out early screening invitations to 5,497 high-risk individuals and seniors aged 75 and older living alone.
Additionally, the city has implemented outreach early screening programs for seniors aged 75 and older, conducting screenings at community centers, senior job programs, and through home visits, with 2,400 individuals screened to date.
The Dementia Safety Center has conducted diagnostic tests for 250 individuals at high risk, including those with cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment.
Based on screening results, dementia patients are connected to services at the Dementia Safety Center, including support for treatment costs, tailored case management, and missing person prevention services.
Individuals with mild cognitive impairment are being supported through cognitive enhancement programs and ongoing post-management to prevent the progression to dementia.
Naju City is also pioneering a school-style dementia care program, the Naju Model, which is the first of its kind in the country.
In collaboration with local institutions such as Dongshin University and the National Naju Forest Healing Center, the program offers integrated care services, including cognitive rehabilitation, forest therapy, and physical activity programs.
Building on the success of the dementia care school, Naju plans to publish a scholarly paper analyzing the effects of frailty prevention and share the results with relevant organizations, including the Central Dementia Center, the Forest Service, and the Korea Forest Welfare Institute, to promote the Naju dementia management model nationwide.
Naju Mayor Yoon Byeong-tae stated, "The earlier dementia is detected, the more effective treatment and management can be. We will continue to strengthen early screening and tailored management for high-risk groups and develop a regionally specialized model for dementia prevention and care through the Naju dementia care school."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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