POLEPOLE August, 2011
1. NEWS AND INFORMATION
Alzheimer’s disease: No end to dementia (Economist ,June 17th 2011)
A Turkish family with Alzheimer’s disease (Hurriyet Diary, June 19th 2011)
2. AAJ HEADQUARTERS UPDATE
<Activities of World Alzheimer’s Day>
*Slogan of World Alzheimer’s Day, 2011
“Think about dementia together! No one should be left alone”
* 2 lecture meetings held by AAJ headquarters in Tokyo and Kyoto
*46 lecture meetings held by AAJ chapters all over Japan
*109 Street Campaign supported by 1738 AAJ members all over Japan
3. COMMEMORATIVE WRITING FOR THE 30TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSSARY
The history and future of AAJ “Cooperation with professionals”
By K.Takami, President of AAJ
AAJ has 37 consultants in 20 chapters. 22 persons are physicians or nurses and 9 are professional care givers. In addition, many of the chapter directors are professionals.
AAJ is not an organization composed only of PWDs and their families. I hope more professionals join us and act together for two reasons.
One is that an organization cannot be run by only the people involved. AAJ has been always supported by various kinds of professionals and volunteers from the beginning.
It is important that they have been supporting us with a clear understanding of AAJ as an organization of the people concerned.
The second reason is the exchange of knowledge, wisdom and skills between people concerned and professionals is significant for both. The professionals teach PWDs and their families. Also PWDs and their families teach professionals. The history of AAJ is the accumulation of complementary interactions.
3. LETTERS FROM MEMBERS
*Physical restraint still continues at nursing homes and hospitals. The survey of professional caregivers showed that some cases of restraint are carried out by family members’ request. AAJ should make an issue of this controversial issue.
(72-year-old woman)
*To Ms. M
Do not think of yourself as a heartless daughter if the idea of putting your parents in a nursing home is crossing your mind sometimes. You might be able to have a better relationship with your parents after that.
(62-year-old woman)
4. CARE EXPERIENCE
“Care of my mother-in-law”
5. TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
<Question>
“Every time I visit him I feel a urine odor from him. I wonder whether it comes from insufficient care or some disease.”
6. FROM NORTH TO SOUTH
The activities of AAJ chapters
7. GLOBAL FAMILIES
ADI presented the charter and results of the petition for World Health Organization in May.
8. THE COMMENTARY ON AAJ PROPOSAL
AAJ suggests the abolition of care need certification in The Long-term Care Insurance ”
By AAJ Executive Board member, Y.Tabei
9.ESSAY
By Dr. I.Hayakawa
10. MESSAGE FROM PWDS
“My life after diagnosis”
By Y.Takeuchi
11.RESIDENT’S MESSAGE
“The fun trip with PWDs to the beach”
TAKE HEART AND TAKE CARE TILL NEXT MONTH!
