POLEPOLE November, 2011
-Here is brief summary of issues dealt with in the AAJ December Newsletter-
1. NEWS AND INFORMATION
“Dose of laugher good for dementia” (18th Sep. 2011, SMH.com.au)
“Family calls elderly couple murder-suicide An Act of Love”(5th Aug. 2011, My Fox8.com)
2. AAJ HEADQUARTERS UPDATE
*Annual AAJ Convention held on 20th Oct. in Nagano. Main agenda was as follows.
(1) Strategy for the fulfillment of Petition for secure life
(2) Report of the situation after East Japan earthquake
(3) Financial report
*Annual National conference held on 30th Oct. in Nagano with 700 participants.
The main theme was “The Social welfare system to encourage the people on the way of the recovery from the disaster of the Great East Japan Earthquake.” There were a keynote speech, case reports, a symposium and a lot of intensive discussions on challenges, such as diagnosis, medical treatment, community care, support for carers, the pay level and working conditions of care workers, and the burden ratio of social security.
3.PROFESSIONAL’S COMMENT
“The point of the Guardian system”
By Maiko Tohki, Lawyer
4. LETTERS FROM MEMBERS
*After the Great East Japan Earthquake I am always worried about the sufferers. We should keep supporting them. Now we should re-consider about the power of nature and reflect that we have pursued only convenience. (77 year-old man in Kyoto)
*Thank you for the donation from AAJ members. The tsunami destroyed my house but I am encouraging myself and try to behave cheerfully. Singing in choir makes me happy. (woman in Miyagi)
5. ESSAY
“The effect of the new medicine”
By Dr. Mikio Shoji
6. ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAPTERS FROM THE NORTH TO THE SOUTH
*Shizuoka Prefecture local government issued a symbol mark of “caring” responding to the proposal from AAJ Shizuoka branch. It is drawing social attention.
* WAD street Campaign of Gunma branch
*Safe inquiry in the typhoon area by Nara branch
*30th anniversary of Shiga branch
* The award for contribution for the support for the people with dementia for Yamanashi branch
7. GLOBAL FAMILY
“A visit to an aged care facility in Hawaii”
By Dr. Katayama
8. CARE EXPERIENCE
“Writing a memoir to stop feeling guilty”
By Mariko Suzuki
9. MESSAGE FROM PWDS
*The 5th National Exchange Meeting in Toyama
The 5th National Exchange Meeting was held in Toyama on 14th ~16th October.
The participants including eleven people with dementia shared their thoughts and feelings and
encouraged each other through activities such as pottery, drawing, dancing, and singing.
10. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
By Kunio Takami
Take heart and take care till next month
