Dementia Japan 32:81-88, 2018

Creating new support mechanisms to live well with dementia

Hajime Takechi

Department of Geriatrics and Cognitive Disorders

Although the course of dementia varies depending on its causative disease, it is usually progressive, and the course often reaches more than 10 years, thus for people with dementia, their families and surrounding people, it is not an easy journey.  Moreover, there is also strong stigma in the community against dementia, which makes the journey more difficult for them.  However, in recent years, comprehensive measures called new orange plan for dementia have been formulated and new mechanisms has emerged; teams to care for people with dementia admitted to hospitals for physical disorders, outreach teams to the community, dementia cafe corresponding to consultation in a relaxed place, increasing opportunities of lectures by people with dementia and activities of creating a dementia friendly community for people with dementia.  Consequently, images of living well with dementia are becoming popular.

Address correspondence to Dr. Hajime Takechi, Fujita Health University School of Medicine (1-98 Dengakugakubo, Kutukake, Toyoake, Aichi 470-1192, Japan)