Dementia Japan 30:51-58, 2016

State of early, intensive, and interprofessional support for dementia patients in Maebashi city
─Viewpoint of occupational therapists─

Tomoharu Yamaguchi^1,2)

¹⁾Faculty of Rehabilitation, Gunma University of Health and Welfare
²⁾Initial-phase Intensive Support Team for dementia in Maebashi City (Geriatric Research Institute and Hospital)

In order for dementia patients to have their wishes respected and continue their community life, various professionals of the Initial-phase Intensive Support Team for dementia (IPIST) visit these patients and their families as early as possible, provide these patients with appropriate medical and nursing care, support these families, and intensively establish comprehensive support systems for such patients and families.  In Maebashi City, the IPIST has aided more than 120 dementia patients since 2013, and has achieved beneficial effects, particularly a reduced care burden imposed on carers.  On this basis, the IPIST, comprising various professionals, is effective to facilitate medical care and nursing support for such patients, and help them continue their at-home lives.

Address correspondence to Dr. Tomoharu Yamaguchi, Faculty of Rehabilitation, Gunma University of Health and Welfare (2-12-1 6 Floor Hon-machi, Maebasi 371-0023, Japan)