Dementia Japan35: 59-65, 2021

Lessons about the health condition of the elderly after the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunam

Aiko Ishiki¹⁾, Juri Ueda²⁾, Naoki Tomita¹⁾, Shoji Okinaga³⁾, Katsutoshi Furukawa²⁾, Hiroyuki Arai⁴⁾

¹⁾Department of Geriatric Medicine and Neuroimaging, Tohoku University Hospital
²⁾Department of Community Medicine, Tohoku Medical and Pharmaceutical University
³⁾Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Healthcare Management, Tohoku Fukushi University
⁴⁾Department of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer, Tohoku University

After the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami, there have been some concerns that the health condition of the elderly living in the affected areas has been deteriorating.　In fact, several studies revealed some level of deterioration in their cognitive, psychological, and physical functions.　On the other hand, it has been reported that some efforts by volunteers and local governments have been made to protect the health of the elderly encouraging them physically, emotionally, and financially after the disaster.　We, medical staff, must learn from the evidence reported in order to prepare for the next disaster to protect our elderly, including those suffering from dementia.

Address correspondence to Dr. Aiko Ishiki, Department of Geriatric Medicine and Neuroimaging, Tohoku University Hospital（4-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai City, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan）