POLEPOLE April 2013
-Here is brief summary
summary of issues dealt with in the AAJ Newsletter of April 201320131. WORLD NEWS AND INFORMATION”The treatment for dementia with iPS cells”
By Shigenobu Nakamura

2. AAJ HEADQUARTERS UPDATEUPDATE*AAJ held a board meeting to prepare the annual general conference in June. The members discussed several importantbills to be submitted to the plenary session at the conference.
conference.

3. INFORMATION OF CLINICAL TRIAL OF DRUG FOR SEVERE STAGE OF DEMENTIA
4. PROFESSIONAL’S COMMENTCOMMENTBy Dr. Ishou Matsumoto
Care for family carers“The outreach services of medical facilities and the respite care are two major keys for the carers‘ｓ support.”

5. LETTERS FROM MEMBERS
MEMBERS* I have been a member of AAJ for 13 years since my mother died. Last year my brother was diagnosed with
Alzheimer’Alzheimer’s. It was lucky for me not to have canceled my membership. I will be an active member again. (66(66-yearyear-oldwoman)*My husband,
husband, 66 years
years old, was diagnosed with the early stage of Alzheimer’Alzheimer’s. He still has the ability
ability to manage daily life
but has problems, such as aggravation from being under the ban of driving, forgetfulness,forgetfulness, and sending me 20 emails aday. I am very anxious about our future.
future.

6. TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE<Question>
My mother is living alone in a distant prefecture and makes more than 50 lengthy phone calls a month.
I cannot refuse but am exhausted. How can I deal with it?

(56-year-old daughter)

7. CARE EXPERIENCE
By Matsuyo Kamada
Dad’s Birthday“All of my family gathered to cerebrate Dad’s birthday, which might be his final one. It was his ninth after he wasdiagnosed with Alzheimer’s. We wish he stays healthy as long as he can. However, we already decided and told his doctor
not to provide life-prolonging treatment and to provide palliative care with consideration. We hope his debilitating process
goes peacefully and naturally like a tree withers and returns to the soil. The birthday was the day for us to prepare
ourselves for his last day.

8. THE REPORT BASED ON THE RESEARCH OF THE ACTUAL CONDITION OF MEMORY CAFÉＢｙ Kazuyo Suzuki, A board member of AAJ Research Study Committee

9.ESSAY
By Dr. Hiroshi Mori, The director of Japan Society for Dementia Research

10.
10. FROM NORTH TO SOUTH - News from AAJ branches around Japan*Ishikawa Branch recruited three nursing school students onto the editing board to bring a new perspective to their
30-year-old newsletter.
*Kagawa Branch called for messages from their members which express their genuine feeling as carers. They received
a letter that said “I whisper love to my husband who cannot tell even who his wife is, praying for a miracle to happen
unrequitedly.”*Ehime Branch holds monthly or fortnightly meetings on weekday afternoons, because the carers can take time to join
the meetings while their family members attend the daycare centers.
*Tochigi Branch conducted a dementia supporter training seminar. A participant who is a high school boy said, “Ibelieve we can make a change and prepare for a more advanced aging society.

11.Global
11.Global Family
By Noriyo washizu“What family can do for a parent with dementia” (From website of Alzheimer’s Disease Association of Philippines)

12・
12・NEED TO MEET, NEED TO TALK -MESSAGE FROM PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA By Eiko Nakanishi
Ms. E. Nakanishi is a former elementary school teacher. She was diagnosed with early onset dementia three years ago.
She made an impressive speech at The Kyoto Community Dementia Care Conference in February.
“I feel so nervous now. I didn’t know why I made a speech in front of a huge audience. But I came here because mydaughter had said to me that if I spoke of my own feeling freely at the conference, it must be helpful for the people
who are suffering from dementia. I had to retire from my job as a schoolteacher because of dementia. I love kids andmy work so that it was so painful. But now I get along in my life with dementia. I am getting forgetful gradually but I canmake it through with devices and support from people around me. I want to talk and play with kids again. I and mydaughter are looking for those chances. Thank you!”12.
12. ＰRESIDENT’SRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
By Kunio Takami, AAJ president

Take heart and take care till next month