ID :
20238
Fri, 09/19/2008 - 21:02
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/20238
The shortlink copeid
Elderly to get free Alzheimer`s checkup
SEOUL, Sept. 19 (Yonhap) -- The government on Friday unveiled a financial support
program to help elderly receive early diagnosis and treatment of dementia,
seeking to avert the rising costs linked with Korea's rapidly aging population.
"At this moment, we are starting a war against dementia," Jeon Jae-hee, minister
for health, welfare and family affairs, told reporters, "The government will make
all-out efforts to tackle the illness."
Under the unprecedented funding program, those aged 60 and older will receive an
Alzheimer's checkup for free every two years, and treatment will not be charged
for those from low-income families, Jeon said.
According to ministry data, only 3.7 percent of all elderly people get a medical
assessment of Alzheimer's, while only a third of patients, or 34 percent, undergo
rehabilitation programs.
Officials say the low diagnosis and treatment rates will aggravate social burdens
in the future if not checked now, due to the country's rapidly aging population.
The number of people aged 65 and older increased to 4.8 million last year from
3.4 million in 2000, while the entire population has dwindled due to low birth
rates. The elderly population is expected to reach 7.7 million by 2020.
"The diagnosis rate is currently very low. This project will add Alzheimer's
disease to the public medical checkup list so that every one aged 60 and older
can get the assessment," said Yoon Nam-i, a ministry official in charge of
elderly welfare.
The ministry estimates that about 8 percent of the 65+ age bracket suffers from
the incurable, degenerative disease.
The criteria for those eligible for free treatment has not yet been decided. It
may include four-member families whose monthly income is below 1.3 million
(US$1,170), officials said.
Officials expect the program will cost the government up to 45 billion won a year.
The funding program will also require all of the 253 public health clinics across
the country to provide the Alzheimer's checkup, whereas less than half of them
currently do so.
program to help elderly receive early diagnosis and treatment of dementia,
seeking to avert the rising costs linked with Korea's rapidly aging population.
"At this moment, we are starting a war against dementia," Jeon Jae-hee, minister
for health, welfare and family affairs, told reporters, "The government will make
all-out efforts to tackle the illness."
Under the unprecedented funding program, those aged 60 and older will receive an
Alzheimer's checkup for free every two years, and treatment will not be charged
for those from low-income families, Jeon said.
According to ministry data, only 3.7 percent of all elderly people get a medical
assessment of Alzheimer's, while only a third of patients, or 34 percent, undergo
rehabilitation programs.
Officials say the low diagnosis and treatment rates will aggravate social burdens
in the future if not checked now, due to the country's rapidly aging population.
The number of people aged 65 and older increased to 4.8 million last year from
3.4 million in 2000, while the entire population has dwindled due to low birth
rates. The elderly population is expected to reach 7.7 million by 2020.
"The diagnosis rate is currently very low. This project will add Alzheimer's
disease to the public medical checkup list so that every one aged 60 and older
can get the assessment," said Yoon Nam-i, a ministry official in charge of
elderly welfare.
The ministry estimates that about 8 percent of the 65+ age bracket suffers from
the incurable, degenerative disease.
The criteria for those eligible for free treatment has not yet been decided. It
may include four-member families whose monthly income is below 1.3 million
(US$1,170), officials said.
Officials expect the program will cost the government up to 45 billion won a year.
The funding program will also require all of the 253 public health clinics across
the country to provide the Alzheimer's checkup, whereas less than half of them
currently do so.
