POLEPOLE April, 2011
Thank you so much for the warm support from all over the world!
Your invaluable kindness has greatly encouraged us. Now we are doing our utmost to recover from the disaster.”
1. NEWS AND INFORMATION
“10 ways to be a healthier Alzheimer’s Caregiver” (Caring. com USA)
2. AAJ HEADQUARTERS UPDATE
*PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
By T. Takami, President of AAJ
My heart and prayers go out to those affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake.
AAJ keeps supporting with our maximum effort.
We thank for the warm-hearted support from all over Japan and the world.
AAJ chapters in the disaster area started the dementia hot-line 11days after the quake and the monthly carers’ meeting will be held to encourage the PWDs and carers facing difficulties.
We have been tackling the difficult situation in dementia care head-on by cooperating with each other.
I believe we can make it through this tragedy. Let’s hang tough together!
* Disaster related activities
March 11th Confirmation of AAJ members in the disaster area were started by E-mail, phone and
checking name lists of evacuation shelters.
Setting up of the Disaster Countermeasure Committee
March 24th The Disaster Countermeasure Committee Newsletter issued
March 25th Started fund raising
March 26th Administrative Board Meeting
(Decided an Urgent Appeal on the Great East Japan Earthquake to the Government and Other disaster related issues)
3.PROFESSIONAL’S COMMENT
“Dementia Anthropology”
By Dr. I. Hayakawa
4. LETTERS FROM MEMBERS
*My mother passed away at the age of 94 after suffering from dementia for 11 years. When she had a cerebral infarction and became unconscious I wondered seriously whether or not I should choose tube feeding for her. Finally I decided not to choose it and asked her doctor for only intravenous infusion. The doctor accepted my decision and she died after two months. I thank her doctor and support from AAJ during my long time of home caring.
*I thank AAJ for its proposal for the revision of Long–Term Care Insurance. At first the Government had determined that all sanatorium-type medical care facilities for the elderly requiring care under the Long –Term Care Insurance close entirely in 2012. Owing to the AAJ Proposal and other associations’ activities, the Government postponed the abolition to 2018. As a user of the facility, I deeply thank AAJ.
5. COMMENTARY ON REVISION OF LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE 2012
By Prof. S. Itou, Kagoshima University Graduate School
6. ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAPTERS FROM THE NORTH TO THE SOUTH
7. THE MESSAGES FROM AAJ CHAPTERS AFFECTED BY THE EAST JAPAN EARTH QUAKE
From Fukushima
By K. Satou, Director of Fukushima Chapter of AAJ
When the Earthquake hit I dashed up to my facility from the prefectural office where I was attending the meeting. Fortunately the building was safe but lifelines such as gas, electricity and water were damaged completely. Since then, our facility has become a shelter for not only the usual residents but also the single elderly people in our community. We have been staying here and working hard to take care of them 24 hours a day. Our facility is located 60 km from Fukushima dai-ichi nuclear power station. Though we are always feeling uneasy, we are hanging in to make them feel as comfortable as possible and stand up for their dignity. It is the very time to be still going strong.
Thanks to the encouragement from all over Japan. We are all right and decided to hold the monthly meeting of PWDs and carers at 6 districts out of seven in April.
From lwate
By H. Onodera, Director of Iwate Chapter of AAJ
All at once the earth began to shake in the midst of a carers’ meeting. We got under the desks and just waited until it stopped. I lost my house, many friends and relatives. Many of our members died and remain missing. The administrative organ was brought to a ruin. We hope to rebuild our community. We are thankful for the great support we got and ask your continuous help to survive this tragedy.
From Miyagi
By S. Kantou, Director of Miyagi Chapter of AAJ
I was in our chapter office at the time. All transportation facilities stopped completely and I walked home which is a long way. Things are getting slightly better after a month but we cannot use gas yet. The PWDs and their families in evacuation shelters are exhausted.
We had the first facilitators’ meeting after the disaster and discussed how to support each other. We restarted the dementia helpline on 22th April and sent the letters to members of our chapter to ask their situation.
Thanks to the encouragement from all over Japan, we get greatly encouraged.
Let’s come up smiling!
7. GLOBAL FAMILY
“ Long-term Care Insurance in Germany ”
8. CARE EXPERIENCE
“Richness of Mind”
By a member of AAJ Fukushima chapter
9. MESSAGE FROM PWDS
“PWDs Meeting in Kyoto “
Take heart and take care till next month
