POLEPOLE February, 2012
-Here is brief summary of issues dealt with in the AAJ February Newsletter-
1. NEWS AND INFORMATION
“The Alzheimer’s Generation: What we’ve learned in 30 years” (Huffington Post 2nd December 2011)
“Rest home open with dementia-care wing” (stuff.co.nz 21st December 2011)
2. AAJ HEADQUARTERS UPDATE
Regular North Regional meeting held in Fukui prefecture 3rd December. Employment promotion measure for people with younger onset dementia, networking of members for preparation of disaster, and strategy for activation of Tsudoi meeting were discussed.
3. OPINION
By Y. Tabei Director of AAJ
“The government has been enforcing the policies which increase service user’s costs and also tax due to the prolonged recession, tsunami, and nuclear crisis. But social security and welfare should be the first priority now and the economic burden should be decreased. We can pay more tax and contributions when we can trust and agree with the policies.
4. PROFESSIONAL’S COMMENT
“Frontotemporal Dementia”
By Dr. Manabu Ikeda
5. LETTERS FROM MEMBERS
*I have been taking care of my mother for 11 years. It has been a long and hard time. I have persevered to tell myself that this is the worst time and tomorrow will be better. Sometimes I ask the picture of my late father for him to take her. But I hear him say that it’s too early and hang in there. Then I am encouraged. (60-year-old daughter)
*I am a physician but I was late to notice my wife’s dementia. I had taken care of her for one and half years and she died. Three days before her death she stared me and said that she has been so happy to be with me. I am living alone with her sweet memories. Sometimes I need to ask her how to cook. I wish I could call her. (86-year-old husband)
6. CARE EXPERIENCE
“I said good -bye twice to my husband–first, when he developed dementia, and then when he passed away.”
By K. Yamaguchi
7. TWO HEADS BETTER THAN ONE
Question
“I am exhausted with my husband’s violence and agitation but I cannot decide to send him to a nursing home.”
8.What happened and what will happen in disaster areas
“Not only Disaster Medical Assistance Team, we really needed Disaster Care Assistance Team”
By Y. Uchide
9. ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAPTERS FROM THE NORTH TO THE SOUTH
Oita branch opened “Orange Café” at the welfare festival. It gave advice about dementia care with drinks.
Shimane branch visited the carers living in remote places and with difficulty to participate in monthly meetings. As it was very successful they will continue to visit them.
Shizuoka branch holds dementia care training sessions monthly to cooperate with the municipality.
Yamaguchi branch hosted a day trip for people with dementia and their carers. 22 participants enjoyed a relaxed time.
10. ESSAY
“The role of a lawyer for the aged care”
By S. Mizunaka, President of Lawyers’ Association of Hiroshima
11. GLOBAL FAMILY
Carer’s Care in UK
By M.Saito
12. MESSAGE FROM PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA
By M. Sato
“What I ask carers to do and not to do”
I ask them to read our minds, understand the Behavioral psychological symptoms of dementia, listen to us carefully and respect our dignity.
I ask not to deceive, lie, treat like a child, exclude us from company, and shift the blame on our disease.
13. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
By K. Tamaki, President of AAJ
Take heart and take care till next month
