With the long-term closure of the Seoul Metropolitan Center for Dementia due to COVID-19, Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jung-hun) will launch the "remote dementia screenings" for the first time by an autonomous district in Seoul, combining untact treatment with visiting nursing services.

The untact treatment system was arranged to solve the congestion of physical examinations resulting from the closure of the Center for Dementia and to respond to emergency situations such as urgent treatment of high-risk elders.

Gangdong-gu saw a 226% decrease in residents who received physical examinations for dementia, going from 424 individuals last year to 130 individuals as of April this year. The implementation of this service is anticipated to reduce the inconvenience of elders who await examinations.

The remote screenings will be conducted every Tuesday and Wednesday for individuals who are on standby for physical examinations. Laptops, programs, and other necessary objects for remote treatment will be provided by the Center for Dementia.

Appointments for untact treatment will be made through consultation over the phone, followed by a visit by a nurse for the first physical examination and an in-depth consultation with a guardian. A second visit will be made by a doctor for remote treatment and clinical evaluation of the patient.

As recipients of the examination are advanced in age and unfamiliar with use of digital devices, employees will be on the site of remote treatment to aid with the use of laptops, speakers, and access to apps for comfortable physical examinations at home.

Mayor Lee Jung-hun stated, “The need for untact services is increasing due to the COVID-19 crisis. The remote screening was introduced as a model for future examinations to resolve the gap in dementia care, and we will actively support elders who are at high risk with dementia to overcome this difficult time with health.”

For more information, contact the Seoul Metropolitan Center for Dementia (☎+82-2-489-1130).

<Related Photos>

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  Mayor Lee Jung-hun of Gangdong-gu

  

  An elder receiving remote dementia screening at home on May 12; Gangdong-gu (Mayor Lee Jung-hun) started the remote screenings which combines untact treatment with visiting nursing services to minimize the gap in dementia care resulting from COVID-19.