Actress Jeon Won-ju confessed that she was diagnosed with early-stage dementia and delivered a heartfelt message to her family.
On the 29th, Jeon Won-ju appeared on TV CHOSUN's 'PerfecT life' and revealed her daily life.
That day she said, "To live healthily you must move your body a lot. I will live to 100," showing a lively appearance through regular exercise. However, she sometimes showed signs of forgetfulness, such as leaving her bag behind, and said she has developed a habit of writing schedules on a calendar and taking notes to compensate.
In particular, Jeon Won-ju opened up about her fear of dementia. She said, "My closest friend developed dementia, and when I greeted her she said, 'Who are you?' I collapsed on the spot," and expressed sorrow, saying, "Dementia is a pain that cannot be described. Living is not really living."
She added, "I don't want to become a burden to my children," and said, "Before I leave, I wanted to clear my mind and write down what I want to say to future generations," drawing attention. In fact, she left a letter addressed to her children and expressed the hope, "I want them to remember that our mother lived well."
Following a test a year ago, Jeon Won-ju underwent a retest and was found to have declined cognitive function. She scored 22 out of 30 on the Mini-Mental State Examination, and a brain CT scan showed some progression of brain atrophy. A specialist diagnosed her with mild cognitive impairment, a pre-dementia stage. This means daily life is possible but cognitive function is reduced, making future management an important stage.
Panelists offered comfort, saying, "Mild cognitive impairment is not dementia yet and can be delayed considerably with management." Jeon Won-ju also said, "The shock at the time was great. I was afraid I would become a burden to my family," and vowed, "I will work hard on preventive care by singing, dancing and hiking."
Amid fear of dementia, Jeon Won-ju's efforts to compose herself and prepare for a healthy old age deliver a deep resonance.
[Photo] 'PerfecT life' broadcast screen capture
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