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P2‐278: A novel approach to self‐financing model for prevention and early intervention of dementia: Korea experience
Author(s) -
Muk Hyunsang,
Kim Youngho
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2015.06.819
Subject(s) - dementia , intervention (counseling) , government (linguistics) , medicine , long term care insurance , finance , gerontology , long term care , business , psychiatry , disease , linguistics , philosophy , pathology
Background:With the projected increasing costs of caring for the dementia patients, countries must cope with the enormous financial and social impacts. In the absence of a cure, an evidence from a large randomized clinical trial, FINGER study showed prevention and early intervention (PEI) improved cognitive performance in the elderly at risk for cognitive impairment. Korea is one of the fastest aging societies but public scheme covers only severe dementia patients due to a lack of funds.Methods:To find new approaches for a sustainable long-term strategy for dementia patients in Korea, we reviewed current options including public Long-term Care Insurance Korea (LTCI) and private insurance schemes for dementia and the reports from Korea National Assembly. We could design a novel, self-financing model for prevention and early intervention (PEI) of dementia. Results:Korean severe dementia patients at low income status are hospitalized or in nursing homes with 80% financial support by public LTCI. However MCI, mild to moderate dementia or patients with higher income are not covered by those schemes. Familes of the elderly with mediocre or higher income are recommended to buy a private insurance policy for dementia. Around 5 million old people (74% of older than 65 years) possess poorly designed private insurance policy. The Korea government is under enormous budget pressure and strategies to prevent or delay the onset of dementia have been proposed as imperative. New selffinancing model for prevention and early intervention (PEI) of dementia was designed and implemented. The model enrolled the elderly in membership of “Dementia-Care-Club” run by private companies. The Club provides dementia diagnosis program every year and enrolls a member in the PEI program if diagnosed. In 2015, the Club provides a multi-domain PEI program modified from FINGER study. Conclusions: The model is self-financed by members’ monthly fee to provide early diagnosis, prevention and early intervention for dementia that have not been covered by public and private insurance policies. The model could change dementia care paradigm in Korea not only for individual patients by providing a sustainable care at an affordable cost but for society by reducing its burden of disease.