POLEPOLE January, 2010

1. NEWS AND INFORMATION

Dementia Care Training

(Alzheimer’s Association, New York City Chapter Newsletter, Fall, 2009)

2. AAJ HEADQUARTERS UPDATE

<New Year message By K. Takami, President of AAJ>

“A Straight Track of Thirty years”

AAJ was founded on 20January 1980 in Kyoto, Japan and has been pushing forward to create

the happiness of the people with dementia and their carers. Essential points of our activities are the following.

To give each other encouragement
To make proposals to the government concerning dementia care issues
To raise awareness about dementia issues for the public
To pursue benefits for both AAJ members and all people and associations concerning social welfare
To cultivate human resources to lead the activities of AAJ and each individual community
To uphold the dignity of the people with dementia at all times

We are so proud of abiding by these principles for 30 years. Last year, AAJ established these principles and the headquarter and 44 chapter offices put up plates on which the principles were engraved.

At the beginning of the year I pledge that AAJ will continue to push our way forward on the track straight with all members and all of the people with dementia.

<The History of 30 years of AAJ>

1980: Established in Kyoto by 90 people from various cities across Japan

1982: First proposal to The Health and Welfare Ministry

1985: First national workshop

1990: 27 chapters and 1,859 members

1992: Joined ADI

1994: Authorized as a corporation

2004: ADI conference in Kyoto

2009: 44 chapters and 9,905 members

3. PROFESSIONAL’S COMMENT

*Elderly Care Facilities in the Community Center

By K. Tawaratsumita

4. LETTERS FROM MEMBERS

*I have been taking care of my wife for ten years since her diagnosis of early dementia. The most serious problem for me now is financial. I demand for a social system which secures the lives of the people with early dementia. The government should have far-sighted policies.

(71-year-old man)

*14 years have passed since my wife was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. I think such patients can live long unless other health problems affect them. Therefore, the physical and financial burden of the carers will get longer and heavier. I am always anxious about our household economy.

(71-year-old man)

*I am an instructor of training of dementia care for childen. Every time I have sessions at schools they direct a serious look at me. I am impressed by their tender-heartedness. I suggest all schools introduce dementia care training in the social welfare education.

(50-year-old woman)

5. TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE

-Questions and answers on dementia care –

Question

“My mother-in-law’s dementia has been progressing day by day. My husband’s sisters criticize me and insist that I should quit my work and devote myself to her care. But I cannot do this because my work is something I live for. What shall I do? ”

6. MY OPINION ON SOCIAL SECURITY

By M. Kojima

When I make a point of urging the upgrading and expanding of social security, everyone asks me about the necessary financial resources. I think the government has the ultimate responsibility for securing the resources for social security. If we rely on our government, we can agree with the burden-sharing for social security.

All Japanese are guaranteed the security of their lives by the Constitution. But there are many people who cannot use services because they cannot afford the cost. Today, we seem to live in a society where money is a valid passport to anywhere.

And another point is the advancement of professional caregivers’ working conditions. The average monthly income of professional caregivers is 110,000 yen lower than the average of all industries.

I believe that social security should create a society where both people who need care and those who support them can live without anxiety.