POLEPOLE March, 2009

1. NEWS AND INFORMATION

“The request to President Obama from the Alzheimer’s Disease Association, USA”

(USA)

“Can football cause dementia?” (UK)

2. AAJ HEADQUARTERS UPDATE

AAJ is going to apply to the government for certification as a higher level public corporation. With the certification AAJ will be given preference on taxes and further credit socially.

3. PROFESSIONAL’S COMMENT BY M.TSUDOME

“With the growth of the aging society, the family carer’s burden is getting longer, harder and more complicated.

The support for the family carers should include two aspects: the first is the out-sourcing of care and the other is the improvement of carer’s mental and physical condition.

Let’s act together to build a capable society for the caring of those in need of long –term care.

4. LETTERS FROM MEMBERS

*My father is a doctor and still working at his clinic though he has a mild symptom of

dementia. He is proud of being a doctor and rejects our advice to retire. I am very anxious about medical accidents.

(51-year-old woman)

*My husband contracted Alzheimer’s at the age of fifty-four and passed away last month after an 11-year struggle with the disease. It was regrettable that he had to abandon his research as a professor. For the last three years before his death he was in a mental hospital because of severe psychiatric symptoms of his disorder. Restrictions, aphasia, pneumonia and other painful experiences wrecked both him and me.

I visited him everyday, sang his favorite songs, and rubbed his legs to ease the pain. At his terminal stage his doctor moved him to the internal medicine ward and treated him carefully. After a few peaceful days his hour came.

I thank AAJ members who supported me during my long term of care for him

(63-year-old woman)

5. REPORTAGE

6. MESSAGE FROM PWDS

Mrs. Hitoko Fukumoto, a PWD, made a speech in front of a large audience of the Forum on Dementia in Kumamoto City.

The followings are from her speech:

”I am thankful for the warmth of the people surrounding me.”

”There are only few things I can do by myself . But I am still eager to do something for people and not to trouble people.”

“I want to meet people in the same situation as me. I can be encouraged and be positive to meet them.”

“I hope to take effective medicine for recovery.”

7. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Take heart and take care till next month!!