POLEPOLE May 2013
-Here is brief summary
summary of issues dealt with in the AAJ Newsletter of May 201320131. WORLD NEWS AND INFORMATION
By Shigenobu Nakamura*Terminal care of people with dementia in the United States*Convulsion of people with dementia

2. AAJ HEADQUARTERS UPDATEUPDATE* AAJ is preparing the upcoming annual general conference on 1st June. The election of the board members,announcement of financial statement and budget, the activity reports of headquarters and branches, and discussion on
the strategies for 2013 are agenda items.

3. THE REPORT OF 29TH ADI CONFERENCE IN TAIPEIBy Sadao Katayama

4. PROFESSIONAL’S COMMENTCOMMENT
By Dr. Ishou Matsumoto
Care for family carers
A person with dementia and his or her carers often have their own views on every matter.
Two of the most controversial issues are informing the patient of the disease and use of drugs. “As for theinforming, I ask all of my patients before consultation if they prefer to be told or not so that I can treat them with therespect to their will. As for the use of drugs, when it seems necessary for the patient to take a drug, I ask myself
whether I would use the drug for my parents in the case. And I decide carefully. There should be careful discussion
among the patient, family carers, care workers, and medical staff.

5. LETTERS FROM MEMBERS
MEMBERS*My mother was diagnosed with dementia but no one in our family can take care of her because of work and healthproblems. We decided to send her to a nursing home and need to sell her house for her care costs.
But it is too painful for us and her and we have not been able to put it into action yet. (66-year-old woman)* My father has been suffering from both alcoholism and dementia for five years. He got special treatment for alcoholism
but the effect did not last. He started to drink again and get abusive. My mother burned out and lost her health. I
moved near my parents’ house and to help my mother every day after work. I am not confident I can get through this.
(56-year- old daughter)

6. TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE<Question>
I am a case manager. My client, a 70-year-old woman with dementia, disposes of her garbage on the street andneighboring area. She cannot understand that she is a nuisance to people around her. I am deluged with complaints
from neighbors. Her children live in the same city but never get involved with her. How can I deal with this problem?
(Beleaguered case manager)7. CARE EXPERIENCE
By Ms. M. K a member of Fukuoka Branch“My husband is 65 years old with younger onset dementia. There are so many difficulties in daily life.
I cannot survive without the support from Fukuoka branch of AAJ members.”.

8. THE INFORMATION OF LONGLONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE AND SOCIAL SECURITY
Ｂｙ Matsuyo kamada, Chief editor of AAJ news letter“The government announced that long-term care insurance is facing financial difficulties and that the benefits must bereduced. I assume the long-term care insurance has been playing an important role in supporting our super aging
society. We are ready to pay tax and insurance costs if we are provided with reasonable services. We are responsiblefor the balance between the cost and benefits.”

9.ESSAYBy Ｔａｋｕｔｏ Ｉｍａｎｉｓｈｉ“Grow old with me”

10.
10. FROM NORTH TO SOUTH - News from AAJ branches around Japan*Akita Branch: The monthly newsletter front cover was renewed with beautiful ornamental writing by a member.
* Aomori Branch: They held three types of meetings every other month for carers, people with younger onset dementia
and male carers.
* Kumamoto Branch: They are preparing to set a dementia hotline center sponsored by the local government.
* Gifu Branch: They are recruiting new members to support their projects.

11.Global
11.Global Family
By Toshiko Hara
“The memory walk in Taipei”

12・
12・NEED TO MEET, NEED TO TALK -MESSAGE FROM PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA “The exchange meeting of people with dementia in Taipei”
Six people with younger onset dementia from Japan and Taiwan had a meeting and shared a great time with discussion
and singing.

12.
12. ＰRESIDENT’SRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
By Kunio Takami, AAJ president“The community renovation project in Maizuru”

Take heart and take care till next month