Shinagawa Ward Continues Contract with Millennia for FY2026 Dementia Awareness Program "Brain Genki-do Check"

Millennia Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo), a subsidiary of the St. Care Group, has been selected to continue its contract for fiscal year 2026 to operate the "Atama no Genki-do Check" (Brain Vigor Check) program. This initiative is run by Shinagawa Ward, Tokyo (Mayor: Kyoko Morisawa) to promote correct knowledge and awareness of dementia. The program targets Shinagawa Ward residents aged 50 and over, providing them with an opportunity to check their cognitive status even before experiencing memory loss. The goal is to foster an understanding of dementia as a personal matter and encourage early interest and awareness. ## Results from FY2024 and FY2025 Millennia's cognitive function scale, "Atama no Kenko Check®" (Brain Health Check), was adopted as the assessment method. Since fiscal year 2024, "Brain Genki-do Check" sessions have been held at various facilities throughout the ward, providing information on cognitive decline and encouraging participation in health-promoting activities. As Shinagawa Ward's first dementia awareness program to also target individuals under 65, it saw participation from this younger demographic reach 30% of the total in both years, confirming the successful establishment of an outreach system for this age group. Surveys conducted at the check-up venues showed that the program spurred increased motivation to join existing health and long-term care prevention programs, as well as heightened awareness of dementia preparedness and risk reduction. ## Plans for FY2026 Based on the principle that dementia can affect anyone, the program will continue to ensure that people from middle age onwards have access to correct information about dementia and risk reduction to prepare for the future. For residents aged 50 and over, it will raise awareness, disseminate information, publicize local community resources, and actively encourage participation in memory-loss screenings. ### Awareness Materials and Community Resources Starting in fiscal year 2025, informational booklets accessible to the under-65 population will be utilized. These materials will align with the 'new view of dementia' outlined in the national dementia policy plan, providing information on daily preventive measures and contact points for consultation. In response to survey feedback indicating a desire for behavior change, the program will enhance efforts to provide information and encourage participation in local dementia and health-related activities. ## How to Participate in "Brain Genki-do Check" Any resident of Shinagawa Ward aged 50 or over is eligible to apply. - **In-person Sessions**: 8 sessions will be held at facilities within the ward (approx. 60 participants per session, for a total of 480 people, first-come, first-served). - **Telephone Sessions**: A call center system will be available for those who cannot attend in person (first-come, first-served for 112 people). **How to Book**: 1. **By Phone**: Call the Shinagawa Ward contact number (03-5742-6802). 2. **Online Application**: Book through the dedicated webpage. Further details are available on the Shinagawa Ward official website and in an orientation movie. ## Millennia's Comprehensive Support System In addition to supporting medical check-up facilities nationwide, Millennia collaborates with local governments and medical associations on dementia-related projects tailored to regional characteristics and challenges. The company will continue to contribute to creating communities where people are conscious of their 'brain health' and help realize a 'cohesive society' where individuals with dementia can live with dignity and in their own way. ### About the "Atama no Kenko Check®" Cognitive Function Scale This is a cognitive function scale for healthy individuals (ages 30-99) who have not reported cognitive decline. It allows for quantitative, longitudinal evaluation of cognitive function. A key feature is its ability to provide a stable, objective assessment in a short time (about 10 minutes), delivering an easy-to-understand score from 0-100 (MPI value). It is widely used by medical check-up facilities, municipalities, and research institutions across Japan.