Developing Supporters and “Caravan Mates” to Deal with Alzheimer’s
An instructional session for the “Alzheimer’s Disease Caravan Mates Training Program” was held at the Consulate General of Japan in Toronto’s Sakura Room on Oct. 21.
“Caravan Mates” is a campaign established by Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, training individuals to properly understand Alzheimer’s Disease and support patients and their families, and thereby promoting the development of communities in which those who have been diagnosed with the disease can live with some peace of mind.
The campaign started in 2005, and, as of Sept. 30 of this year, there are 4.4 million such supporters in Japan. The “Mates” who train the supporters now number 90,000. Remarkably, the number of supporters match the current number of people suffering from Alzheimer’s in Japan.
For Japanese living in Canada, as well as for Canadians, the onset of Alzheimer’s Disease at an advanced age is becoming a greater social concern. For this reason, this campaign has also been promoted outside Japan. It started in New York in August of 2010, and now 236 supporters and 56 Mates are there as a result. In September, sessions were held in two cities in Germany, producing 85 Japanese Mates.
The training session in Toronto was realized with the Consulate General of Japan at the request of Japanese Social Services. Ms. Toshiko Kobayashi of JAMSNET New York, as well as Dr. Koichi Nakamoto of JAMSNET Tokyo/Canada, were in attendance as lecturers.
Japanese residents from around the Greater Toronto Area gathered to participate, resulting in 56 new Mates. They in turn will hopefully train supporters of those in need here and in other locations.
Links:
The “Caravan Mate” program (Japanese only):
http://caravanmate.com/whats.html
JAMSNET New York
http://jamsnet.org/english.php
JAMSNET Tokyo/Canada (Japanese only)
http://www.jamsnettokyo.org/
Alzheimer Society of Canada
http://www.alzheimer.ca
Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat
http://www.seniors.gov.on.ca
The Reitman Centre CARERS Program (Mount Sainai Hospital)
http://www.mountsinai.on.ca/static/carers/
Dr. Koichi Nakamoto gives his presentation.
