- Dedicated institution operated for early-onset dementia to strengthen customized support services
- Early-onset dementia patients appointed as dementia awareness ambassadors to foster citizens’ engagement -
- City government to realize Incheon-style culture of coexisting with dementia to create a community of mutual dependence -
Incheon Metropolitan City (Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok) is leading in delivering customized support to individuals with early-onset dementia—commonly referred to as “young dementia”—and their families, spreading a message of hope.
Incheon is the first city in South Korea to operate an institution dedicated exclusively to early-onset dementia, offering practical services for patients and their families. In particular, the city government appoints early-onset dementia patients as “Ambassadors of Hope for Overcoming Dementia,” actively supporting their social participation and ensuring they can speak up as valued members of society.
Early-onset dementia, which develops before age 65, often brings significant challenges during one’s most active social and economic years. As of 2022, early-onset dementia patients accounted for 10.3% of all dementia cases in Incheon—well above the national average of 7.7%. Incheon is indicated as a region urgently requiring a proactive, concentrated response to early-onset dementia, as the city has the highest proportion of dementia patients under 65 in the country.
As such, Incheon has designated the Brain Health School as an affiliated facility of the Incheon Dementia Center specializing in early-onset dementia since 2020, providing tailored daycare programs and educational services while also identifying various opportunities for social participation to pave the way for practical efforts in patient support.
Notable activities include roles as daily staff in the dementia-friendly community cinema, photo studio for local residents run by early-onset dementia patients, and engagement in community-based jobs like marketplaces. The city also launch local upcycling teams by collaborating with local organizations such as the Juan 8-dong Administrative Welfare Center and the GM Employee Foundation, enabling patients and families to join forces in environmental cleanup campaigns through plogging. These activities help early-onset dementia patients naturally connect with the local community and take an active role as their members.
Programs that empower patients to share their own stories are also going into full force. In March, Incheon became the first city in South Korea to appoint four early-onset dementia patients as dementia awareness ambassadors engaging with the public through lectures and appearances at events such as the ceremonial first pitch on Dementia Awareness Day. These efforts are expected to not only reduce negative stereotypes surrounding dementia but also offer genuine comfort and hope to patients and their families.
This year also marks the expansion of initiatives to support early-onset dementia patients. In August, Incheon plans to invite Tomofumi Tanno, an early-onset dementia patient serving as a dementia awareness ambassador for Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. A joint forum will be held with local governments, corporations, institutions, and patients to explore ways to maintain employment and encourage social participation among early-onset dementia patients.
Incheon is also enhancing its support for patients’ families. The Brain Health School runs a self-help group called ‘Rosemary’ for families of early-onset dementia patients, where members share practical caregiving information and provide emotional support to improve family communication.
The city will also launch a new ‘young carers group’ for children of early-onset dementia patients this year. These children often face complex challenges, such as isolation from peers, emotional strain, and anxiety about academics and future paths. The program aims to create a space for empathy, build healthy relationships by facilitating communication with older young carers, and support emotional well-being through various programs.
Incheon Director-General of Health and Welfare Shin Byeong-cheol stated, “Early-onset dementia occurs when patients are at the peak of their social and economic lives, causing severe emotional burden for patients and their families. We will continue to strengthen support so that early-onset dementia patients can remain vital members of our society. We will also promote awareness—spreading kindness, mutual respect, and mutual care—to let everyone know dementia patients can remain good family members and neighbors by building a community of coexistence with dementia.”
Social contribution activities of early-onset dementia patients at the photo studio, taking portrait photos of older patients, their families, and local residents.
