Korea is likely to see an increase in the number of dementia patients among senior citizens.
The state-run Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs said Tuesday that the number of dementia patients is expected to rise to 47,000 in 2010, 2,000 more than last year.
In 2009, some 45,000 people suffered from the disease. According to the report, the ratio of dementia patients among those aged 65 or older is forecast to reach 9.7 percent in 2020. Last year, it stood at 8.6 percent.
In the meantime, the medical costs for such patients amounted to 302.6 billion won in 2007, a six-fold increase from five years ago.
Korea is quickly becoming an aged society with over 14 percent of the population being 65 or older.