ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION JAPAN, MEWSLETTER

“Pole-Pole”

BULLETIN NO,312 July 2006

office@alzheimer.or.jp

https://www.alzheimer.or.jp

1NEWS & INFORMATION

The number of persons over 65 exceeded 20% of the total population in Japan in Oct. 2005 (Cabinet Office, Japan)

The proper treatment of hypertension is related to prevention of dementia.

( “Stroke,” April 6, 2006 USA)

2・UPDATE FROM AAJ HEADQUARTERS

General Meeting Report

3PRACTICE REPORT    “A Heart of Anywhere, Anytime”

An approach to building a comfortable community for PWDs and their families

4LETTERS FROM MEMBERS

*It is unreasonable that the elderly cannot die naturally at hospitals and in nursing homes contrary to their and their families’ will.  (57-year-old woman)

*My mother has dementia but lives alone by her own choice in a town one-and-a half hours drive from my home. Often neighbors call me to urge me to commit her to a nursing home. But I respect her will to stay at her home as long as possible and I visit her everyday to take care of her.

(52-year-old woman)

5ADVICE FOR CARE      BY AAJ Telephone Counselor

6BOOK REVIEW

7ACTIVITIES of AAJ CHAPTERS

8DR’S COMMENT ”HOME TERMINAL CARE”

9MESSAGE FROM PWDs ” LISTEN TO MY HEART”

10PRESIDENT’S COLUMN  By Kunio Takami, President of AAJ

One day in June, I followed the trial of a 54-year-old son who killed his 86-year-old mother with dementia. He quit his job to care for her and finally got distressed. He applied for public assistance 3 times but was denied. He despaired and decided to commit double suicide and killed her.

Though I heard the stifling of sobs for their situation, I didn’t shed tears.

This is not a sob story but a serious problem that involves complicated factors, such as the Long Term Care Insurance system which demands money from a service user, and a public office that only examines an applicant’s qualification for public assistance and his way of life by which he chose his mother’s death rather than trouble others.

I have had a heavy heart since the court day.

<Additional information>

The decision handed down by the Kyoto Prefectural Court on July 21 was three years probation with a suspended sentence of 2 years and 6months.

Take heart and take care till next month!