POLEPOLE June, 2012

POLEPOLE June, 2012

-Here is brief summary of issues dealt with in the AAJ Newsletter of the June 2012 issue–

1. NEWS AND INFORMATION

“Poor dental Health linked to Dementia Onset” (Medscape Medical News 13^thApril 2012 )

“Frontotemporal Dementia Seen in Elderly ”(Medpage today 23th April 2012 )

2. AAJ HEADQUARTERS UPDATE

*AAJ held national its annual conference on 2^nd June in Kyoto. 300 members participated and made an announcement to improve dementia care to the government and the whole society.

3.PROFESSIONAL’S COMMENT

By Dr. K.Aida

“The end of life care for people with dementia“

-The resistance to the natural course towards death causes continuation of medical intervention such as dripping or tube feeding which may be torture for dying people. Not providing artificial nutrition is not a form of starving but a kind of palliative care.-

4. THE THOUGHT AND FEELING OF FAMILY CARERS FOR PERCUTANEOUS ENDOSCOPIC GASTROSTOMY

* My husband had a stroke at the age of 52 and has been suffering from the aftereffects for 13 years. I agreed with the operation of PEG on the doctor’s advice without confirming his will. I have blamed myself since then.

*My mother cannot express her will anymore. I already decided on not giving her PEG. But I am not confident that I can say “no” when I am asked by the doctor about the PEG.

* My mother died peacefully at home without PEG. I have no regret.

5. LETTERS FROM MEMBERS

*My husband has been suffering from Alzheimer’s for four years. I am exhausted by his agitation, wondering and caring for all his daily living but I can understand his sadness, fear and anger. Recently he was given a sedative and it worked. He got calm and but looks dazed. I wonder if medication is good for him or not. (61-year-old wife)

*After the Great East Japan Earthquake, my wife had been restless and walking around the house day and night. Finally she fell down and got a fracture because of the increased dose of sedative. Everything goes wrong. I hope I can do the garden with her as we did before. (72-year-old husband)

6. CARE EXPERIENCE

By anonymous carer

“Long Long and tough way ”

7. TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE

Question

My father lives in a private nursing home. He is given a sleeping pill every night because

he walks around the hallway to look for the toilet and there is not enough staff to take

care of him. Should I transfer him to another facility?

8. ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAPTERS FROM THE NORTH TO THE SOUTH

* Chiba Branch joined the location training for missing people with dementia.

*Okayama Branch has held monthly exchange meetings for people with dementia for six

years. PWDs and their carers enjoy events every month, such as picnics, bowling