Public Dementia Programs in Korea: Current Status and Policy Challenges

Abstract

Since the 2018 amendments to the relevant law, the Public Guardianship Program for People with Dementia has been implemented with the aim of protecting the dignity and self-determination of individuals experiencing cognitive decline due to dementia. However, the current implementation remains limited in scope. This report proposes several directions for improvement, including stepwise adjustments to the delivery system, systematic training to enhance guardians’ competency, increased public awareness of guardianship systems, and strategies to align support with actual needs over the medium to long term.