POLEPOLE January 2012
-Here is brief summary of issues dealt with in the January AAJ Newsletter-
1. NEWS AND INFORMATION
* “The role of children in Alzheimer’s Care” (The Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation, 28th November)
* “How I coped with my wife’s early onset dementia” (Guardian 21st November)
2. AAJ HEADQUARTERS UPDATE
*AAJ held regular north and central district meetings on 20th ~27th November.
The board members discussed the strategy to realize the Petition for Secure Lives, the measures for disaster, the role of officers of branches, and the strategy of conducting the carers meeting.
3. PROFESSIONAL’S COMMENT
“Frontotemporal Dementia”
By Dr. Manabu Ikeda
4. LETTERS FROM MEMBERS
* My father had cerebral bleeding and has been admitted to the hospital for more than three months.
He is unconscious with a feeding tube. I am thinking about what is the most comfortable way for him to live. (60-year-old woman)
*My mother had been had having difficulty swallowing for a few months and started tube feeding.
Ten days after the start, she passed away. I hear her saying that enough is enough. I should be thankful for her peaceful face at the end of the time.(66-year-old woman)
5. COMMENTARY
“The challenges of the present guardian system”
By Y. Takashima
7. THE REPORT FROM THE DISASTER AREA
By H. Onodera, Director of Iwate Branch of AAJ
“What happened after the earthquake and nuclear crisis and what will happen in the future?”
9.TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
<Question>
“My parents live in a distant city from me. My father is too strict with my mother with mild dementia. I am anxious about my mother’s situation. Should I make her move to my house and live together?”
10.ESSAY
By M. Nishikawa
10. MESSAGE FROM PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA
“My daily living”
By M. Sato
-Worries
･I have nothing to do so that I feel vanity.
･Bad memories
･Difficulty writing with computer
･Sensitivity to sounds
-Pleasure
･Communication by e-mail, mobile phone
･Going out alone and with someone’s help
･Taking medicine regularly by myself
･Singing songs
･Speaking my mind to friends
-Desire
･To have a role as a member of our society, such as volunteering and working.
･The society where people with younger onset dementia can take part lively
11. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
By K. Takami, President of AAJ
Happy New Year!
We faced a national crisis and have been striving for recovery after the Great East Japan Earthquake. The condition is still hard but we have found that the bond between people makes us stronger and stronger. We cultivate the bond and walk together for recovery. Though the bond is a very significant social resource, there are many problems which cannot be solved only by the bond. We need effective governmental policies.
We cherish the bond with each other, and also we take a strong stand for the government to improve the social security system this year.
Take heart and take care till next month
