Dementia cases to rise as population ages

SEOUL, April 13 (Yonhap) -- Over 400,000 senior citizens suffered from dementia
last year and the number will likely increase further in the coming years as the
country's population is rapidly-aging, a government report showed Monday.

According to the report by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs,
the number of people afflicted with the disease stood at 420,000 last year,
accounting for 8.4 percent of those aged 65 or older.
The number will likely exceed the 1 million mark by the end of 2027 as the
nation's population ages at a faster pace, the ministry projected.
The report showed that people without spouses are 2.4 times more likely to suffer
from dementia, while smokers were 1.5 times more likely to develop the disease
than non-smokers. Depression also increases a person's chances of developing the
illness by around three times.
The figures come as the nation is rapidly becoming an aged society, defined as
one where more than 14 percent of the population is 65 or older. That age group
in South Korea grew to 5.01 million last year, accounting for 10 percent of the
total population.
In September, South Korea's government launched a "war" against dementia by
unveiling a financial support program to help elderly citizens receive early
diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Under the program, senior citizens will receive a free Alzheimer's checkup every
two years, while those from low-income families will receive free treatment.
kokobj@yna.co.kr
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