Wanju County is actively implementing a book play program to enhance the cognitive abilities of the elderly and prevent dementia in response to the aging population.

On the 8th, as part of the '2025 Elderly Small Library Establishment Project,' the county held a graduation ceremony for the 'Elderly Cognitive Activity Book Play Instructor Level 2 Training Course,' where 20 local residents acquired qualifications.

The course consisted of a total of 30 hours of basic education and practical training. Graduates will directly visit 10 village community centers in the area from this month until the end of next month to conduct book play programs for the elderly. Paired in groups of two, the instructors will visit the community centers once a week for a total of 8 weeks, utilizing activities such as songs, movements, traditional games based on books to enhance the cognitive function and emotional communication of the elderly.

Han JaeSuk, the instructor in charge of education, expressed, "Seeing the elderly express emotions and communicate through books, I realized that this simple play can be a door to open their hearts," and added, "I hope the instructors going out to the field will interact sincerely with the elderly and create enjoyable times."

Yu Hee-tae, the mayor of Wanju County, stated, "The mental health of the elderly is one of the important tasks in the region," and said, "I expect this program to play a positive role not only in preventing dementia but also in intergenerational communication and the recovery of the local community."

Meanwhile, the 'Elderly Small Library Establishment Project' is a comprehensive cultural support project of Wanju County that supports facilities such as shelves, large print books, reading tables in community centers where library access is difficult, and operates customized programs. For inquiries related to the project, you can contact the Wanju County Library Policy Team at 063-290-2589.