1. NEWS AND INFORMATION
The National Council of Social Services of Singapore has announced that they are going to supply ID cards for PWDs. The cards will indicate the PWDs’ names, languages, telephone numbers, allergies, etc., and be useful to identify any one who is missing. According to The Straits Times, there are 20,000 PWDs in Singapore and the number will reach 50,000 by 2020.
(Topnews India April, 9th, 2008 “Dementia patients get special ID cards”)
2. AAJ HEADQAUTERS UPDATE
*Big echoes from AAJ members all over Japan have been continuing in response to the proposals,“Our Expectations about the Long-term Care Insurance System in Japan” Also, some of the chapters are going to hold the extra meetings on the proposals.
*AAJ President Takami was invited to the Select Committee on Dementia Care sponsored by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. He stated, and subsequently exchanged opinions, about the policies for dementia care.
*AAJ requested early approval for the new drugs for dementia treatment from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, grouping the PWDs and their families’ voices under such categories as “hope to be cured” and “ hope to keep working.”
3. PROFESSIONAL’S COMMENT BY DR. Toshio Mori
“The ADI international conference in Kyoto brought a drastic change in dementia care.
It was the start for PWDs to speak out in person. After the conference, AAJ has been supporting them energetically. The advent of a new age of dementia care would have been delayed without the various AAJ activities for supporting PWDs and their families.
4. LETTERS FROM MEMBERS
My husband entered a mental hospital to get treatment for a disorder caused by Pick’s Disease. As none of the doctors or nurses had spoken to him faithfully and properly during the admission period, his uneasiness and disturbance continued. After 80 days in the hospital he was discharged. Because I could not be confident of taking care of him at home, he moved to a group home. On the first day at the group home caregivers listened to him carefully and respected his dignity. He regained his calmness day by day. Now I am sure everyone can smile peacefully with a warm-hearted relationship.
5. MESSAGE FROM PWDS
6. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
I was invited to the Select Committee of the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare on May 19th. I explained the proposals “Our Expectations about Long-term Care Insurance System in Japan” and moreover I added the following opinion.
“It is true that the new age of dementia care has started, but PWDs and their families are still facing difficulties in their lives. The main reasons are:
1) PWDs’ anxieties and family members’ sorrow at the disease
2) Suffering from the lack of understanding of the people around them and at work places
3) Inadequacy of medical services
4) Worries about the increasing expense of medical and care services, etc.
The Department of the Treasury has proposed a cut in the budget for Long Term Care Insurance. The Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare should constrain this proposal. It is time to take a hard look at the fundamental national budget compilation.” I am sure that my speech is striking a chord with all AAJ members.
Take Care and take heart till next month!
