POLEPOLE June, 2011
1. NEWS AND INFORMATION
* “Why Alzheimer’s victims feel the benefit of visits”: Mail Online, 2011/04/13
* “No gain from brain training”: Nature News 2011/04/20
2. AAJ HEADQUARTERS UPDATE
* The memorable 30th General Meeting was held in Kyoto on June 4th and 5th with about 300 participants including honorable guests such as Mr. T. Miyajima, the Chief of MHLW, and Mr. M. Wortmann, Executive Director of ADI.
* The president, K. Takami, participated in a public debate on the revision of Long-term Care Insurance in Tokyo and described a “fair burden-sharing for sufficient welfare” policy.
3.COMMEMORATIVE WRITING BY K.TAKAMI, PRESIDENT OF AAJ
“OUR HISTORY AND FUTURE”
AAJ started 30 years ago in Kyoto with only 20 family carers. Now we have 45 chapters all over Japan and 10,000 members. The successful achievements of AAJ completely depend on each and every chapter and its members. Especially, the contribution of the facilitators of each chapter has been amazing. There is a total of 894 facilitators in all chapters and 74% of them are women. We, AAJ, are proud of their thriving activities.
The members do not trust in AAJ due to my influence as the president. They trust in AAJ under the leadership of chapter facilitators who advise and help them with consideration and sympathy.
The great role of the chapters and their facilitators are the superior characteristic of AAJ.
4. LETTERS FROM MEMBERS
<To medical professionals>
I am working for a local hospital as a nurse. Some members of our staff are often rude to patients with dementia. A law is necessary to protect their dignity in medical facilities. (41- year-old woman)
<Mother’s Day >
My father has refused to visit his wife at a nursing home for a year and half with the excuse of a health problem or the weather. On mother’s day this year I thought this might be his last chance to meet her and I finally persuaded him.
I had not expected she could recognize her husband. When we entered her room she smiled at once and tears welled up in her eyes. And he had tears in his eyes and squeezed her hands. The moment my eyes began to cloud, I listened to applause from her room-mates. It was a wonderful Mother’s Day!
5. CARE EXPERIENCE BY A. SAKAI
“Our dog ‘WHOO’ takes care of me as well as my husband. She cements our bond”
6. CARE ADVICE: “TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE”
Question: “How can we use Long- term Care services?”
7.ESSAY BY DR.T MIYAKE
“My wife developed dementia”
My wife developed dementia as a result of encephalitis. Her symptoms include memory loss, frequent wondering, restlessness, disquiet and confusion. All these symptoms of dementia sprouted up at once. I have been engaged in dementia care as a doctor and I thought one of us might have dementia in the future. It came much earlier than I expected. Now I am supported by many people surrounding me and abroad. My gratitude has been deepening through my wife’s illness.
8. MY OPINION ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY
By Y. Kaneko, President of Niigata chapter of AAJ
9. MESSAGE FROM PWDS
10. ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAPTERS FROM NORTH TO SOUTH
11. GLOBAL FAMILY
*Dr. Daisy Acosta, Chairman of ADI, sent e-mail all over the world to seek assistance for the victims of the big earthquake in Haiti.
12. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Take heart and take care till next month!
