POLEPOLE January, 2008
1. NEWS AND INFORMATION
*Piribo Pharmaceutical Company of UK reported that over three hundred substances have been developed for use in drugs to treat Alzheimer’s. More information can be obtained through the company’s website.
*Dr.Pascale Barberger-Gateau of Victor Segaren Bordeaux2 Univ. in France reported that fruits, vegetables, fish, and fatty acid omega3 are effective for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.
2. NEW YEAR’S MESSAGE FROM AAJ PRESIDENT
A happy new year! The efforts of all AAJ members have improved the situation of PWD and their families. Let’s keep working this year too toward a comfortable society for them along with our policy of long term care insurance which was put into effect in 2007.
3. SPECIALIST’S COMMENT
“The report of the actual working conditions of home helpers “ By Michiko Miwa
Almost all home-helpers are suffering from various problems, such as low wages, unstable employment, hard labor, mental stress from the one–man/woman work, etc. They love their occupation but many home-helpers leave because of physical and mental reasons.
4. LETTERS FROM MEMBERS
* My husband has been in a nursing home. He is administered psychotropic drugs for his wandering around. He is getting weaker and weaker. I hope he can undergo more rehabilitation and receive better care. But I cannot tell that to the staff of the nursing home because I know they are working so hard to take care of all residents and they have too many things to do. And also I cannot visit to make up for the lack of care every day. But I still wish he could walk again.
2. CARE EXPERIENCE
3. ACTIVITIES OF AAJ CHAPTERS
4.
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MOVIES
5. MESSAGES FROM PWDS
Recently I have been suffering from severe pain in my stomach, arms and legs.
But I can forget about the pain while I am taking pictures. And I can get energy to live to see the pictures I have taken.
6. PRESIDENT’S COMMENT
TAKE HEART AND TAKE CARE TILL NEXT MONTH!
1. NEWS AND INFORMATION
* “Dementia Ethical Issues”(Dementia: Ethical Issues, Nuffield Council on Bioethics)
* “Dementia Day-Care Center Opens its Doors” (The Times of India)
2. AAJ HEADQUARTER’S UPDATE
AAJ held a symposium titled “ Our Demand for the Revision of The Long Term Care
Insurance.” Participants were the director of the Bureau of Health, Labor and Welfare; the president of Care Managers Association; the directors of several nursing homes; and the board members of AAJ. They had an animated discussion about the problems of the current system of the long- term care insurance, such as the certification of care need, and financial issues including the use for welfare of the consumption tax.
3. PROFESSIONAL’S COMMENT
*The Elderly Care Facilities in the Community Center
By K.Tawaratsumita
4. LETTERS FROM MEMBERS
² I am taking care of my 94-year-old father with dementia who is wandering all night and often falling down. Moreover, he is still so proud and stubborn that it is difficult to handle him. His home doctor is encouraging me to send him to a nursing home. But I hesitate to do it because I love my Daddy. (59-year-old woman)
² I joined AAJ several years ago but had been only subscribing to the newsletters. Last year, I attended the meeting for the first time and recognized the significance of AAJ. My mind rested a little easier after talking to other members and listening to their experiences. Now I have decided to keep participating for the sake of myself and my wife with dementia. (59-year-old man)
5. MY OPINION ON SOCIAL SECURITY
By Prof. S.Takahashi
According to some research, the Gross of National Happiness in Japan has not
increased after the Second World War despite significant economic growth. The social
security system is in critical condition due to the increase in temporary temployment. In addition, the number of suicides is increasing. AAJ has proposed the
idea of “Fair burden-sharing for sufficient welfare.” The meaning of these words is
that we should share the commensurate burden of the security of our lives. The statement is consistent with the policy of AAJ that everyone must be respected as a
human being.
However, it is more suitable, I dare to suggest, to use the words “Fair contribution
for sufficient welfare,” because “contribution” is more suitable than “burden” to
express AAJ ‘s policy.
6. ACTIVITIES OF THE CHAPTERS FROM NORTH TO SOUTH
7. GLOBAL FAMILY
Richard Taylor’s Newsletter
8. ESSAY
By Dr. I. Hayakawa
9. MESSAGE FROM PWDS
10. PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
I would like to introduce a person who passed away last month who has left an indelible mark on AAJ history; Tadao Ouchi, former president of the Fukushima chapter. He devoted his life to the improvement of the conditions of PWDs and their families in his area. His two daughters were always anxious about his overwork and often advised him to retire from his position. On the day of his funeral they spoke to those in attendance and put the sash, which he wore during the Alzheimer’s day parade, in his casket and said AAJ had been his reason for living for these past 11 years. It was 10 days after his wife’s funeral.
Take heart and take care till next month!
