POLEPOLE May, 2010
1. NEWS AND INFORMATION
* “Leaflet launched to help hospital staff improve care to people with dementia”:
Alzheimer’s Society Feb.23rd, 2010
* “Alzheimer’s Drug Falls Short”: Wall Street Journal March.3rd, 2010
2. AAJ HEADQUARTERS UPDATE
*Annual General Meeting is coming soon
*Yamaguchi Prefecture is preparing to establish an AAJ chapter
3. COMMEMORATIVE WRITING FOR 30TH FOUNDING ANNIVERSSARY
By K. Takami, President of AAJ
“The Five Principles of AAJ”
We, AAJ, have been acting on five principles for 30 years: mutual help, solidarity, promotion of social policy, understanding of the disease, and the grasp of dementia as a matter of concern for everyone. These are consolidated in “The Principles of AAJ.”
4. REPORT OF ADI CONFERENCE IN THESSALONIKI BY DR. S.KATAYAMA
5. LETTERS FROM MEMBERS
*I am taking care of my parents, using services under the long-term insurance. It cost $17,000 for each person a month. I want a social system which provides sufficient care services within one’s pension. (58-year-old man)
*I agree with the abolishment of certification of long-term care needs. It is very difficult to judge the care needs, particularly in the case of early stage dementia. The certification should be general at first and revised as user’s progress. (66-year-old woman)
*I oppose the abolishment of certification of long-term care needs. I think it is needed to prevent the system from collapsing financially. (79-year-old man)
5. CARE EXPERIENCE By Y. Sakaguchi
It has been 17 years since my wife developed younger dementia and now it is continuing to the
end.
Alzheimer’s, a femoral fracture and uterine cancer wrecked her health. Though medical
professionals recommended hospitalization, I decided to stay at her deathbed. Getting
close to the finish line, I feel emptiness, loneliness and a kind of relief.
6. CARE ADVICE: “TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE”
Question: “My husband was diagnosed with younger dementia. I don’t want it come out and am very anxious about our future. What shall I do?”
7. ESSAY By Dr. S. Nakamura
8. MY OPINION ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY By N. Okitou, Writer
9. ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAPTERS FROM NORTH TO SOUTH
10. GLOBAL FAMILY
The results of the ADI photographic contest were announced in the conference in Thessaloniki. Works from Japan won 4th, 5th, and 6th prizes.
11. MESSAGE FROM PWDS By K. Nose,
“After diagnosis, continuous anxiety has ceased and I am feeling better!“ Nose, Vice President of Okayama Chapter of AAJ, said.
< Introduction of Mr. Nose>
By R. Tsumai, President of Okayama Chapter of AAJ
K. Nose, Vice President of Okayama Chapter of AAJ, was diagnosed with the early onset of Alzheimer’s disease last year. Members of the Okayama chapter decided that they would secure his position and support service for him at their chapter. He kept working harder than before the diagnosis and impressed many people. In March, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and has been struggling with it. All members of the chapter only hope for his recovery.
12. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Take heart and take care till next month!
