[Courtesy of Our Home]
The number of patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementia is steadily increasing in South Korea. Data released by the National Medical Center, South Korea had about 890,000 dementia patients in 2021, up 34 percent from five years ago. The number of dementia patients is projected to reach about 3.3 million by 2060. The number of patients with mild cognitive impairment aged 65 or older reached 1.95 million in 2021, up 43 percent from 2016.
Our Home said in a statement on March 21 that the company developed the AI dietary management solution. The diet suggested by the solution consists of food ingredients with plenty of dietary fiber, Our Home said, adding that the use of food ingredients high in saturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids was restricted. To verify its effectiveness, clinical trials, which include physical and blood tests, have been conducted since March 2 on 100 participants aged 65 or older in Seoul and its surrounding cities.
After the 12-week clinical trials, the solution will be adopted in nursing homes and care centers. Our Home has collaborated with Rowan, a domestic digital treatment device developer, to include educational programs in the smart healthcare solution.
"As the elderly population increases, prevention and management that naturally improves cognitive function through diet are becoming crucial," an unnamed Our Home official was quoted as saying. Data from Statistics Korea, a state-run statistical information service, showed that South Korea would become the world's most aged society by 2067.
reporter
Kim Joo-heon
jhkim123@ajunews.com
