March 3 at 29:11 a.m.

It is estimated that one in five elderly people will have dementia by 5. Until that time, we are approaching two more years.

When dementia is diagnosed, many people lose confidence that they can't do anything anymore, give up their jobs and hobbies they used to enjoy, and tend to withdraw. Efforts to break down such "mental barriers" against dementia are now attracting attention.

We think about what we can do to live a spiritually enriched life even after dementia.
(NHK Special "Dementia Barrier-Free Summit" Coverage Group)

The "mental barrier" of people with dementia

Currently, the number of people aged 65 and over with dementia in Japan is estimated to be about 600 million (2020), and it continues to increase year by year.

People with dementia and their families have a mental barrier that they can't do anything if they have dementia.

In fact, in a nationwide survey of people with dementia, nearly 7% of them answered that they had fewer opportunities to go out and socialize, such as shopping.

As a result, the symptoms progress early, resulting in an increase in the burden of family care and even an increase in social security costs. Such a "negative spiral" has been pointed out by experts for many years.

Under these circumstances, "dementia-free urban development" is now spreading throughout the country.

The common point is that we put the "voice of the person" first.

He says that it is important for families and volunteers not to support unilaterally, but to have fun together and help only with what they are not good at.

We will introduce a unique initiative for "shopping," which tends to be difficult when people with dementia start with their voices.

"I don't want to give up shopping..."

"Shopping" that everyone has always enjoyed as a matter of course.

This becomes more difficult as soon as you have dementia.

Dr. Toshiaki Konno, who has been treating local residents as a dementia specialist for more than 20 years in Takizawa City, Iwate Prefecture, points out this point.

Dr. Konno has heard many earnest voices such as "I really want to shop, but it's difficult to do it alone, so I have no choice but to give up..."

Dr
. Toshiaki Konno: "When I ask people with dementia, 'Don't you want to try shopping again?' they say, 'I really want to shop,' and they tend to be hesitant. Shopping is one of the important household chores that we have been doing for decades to support our families, aren't we? Just because you have symptoms of dementia, if you take it as "don't go anymore," you will lose an important role. I've always thought that if we could all support each other and get back to shopping alone, we would be able to rediscover our confidence, motivation, and role in the family one more time."

What kind of difficulties do people with dementia have when shopping?

Dr. Konno surveyed 160 people with dementia who came to the hospital about their worries and problems when shopping.

Then, the following worries became clear.

・ It is difficult to find where and what is
in a large supermarket ・ If you buy too many of the same products, your family will warn you
・ You will be stuck in the checkout and look at you with cold eyes by those around you.

Chie Endo (88), who lives in Takizawa City, is one of those who gave up shopping in the face of such barriers.

Two years ago, at the age of 2, when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, his opportunities to go out decreased dramatically.

Even when I started going to day services, I tended to take time off because I didn't feel well, and I often complained of physical problems such as not being able to sleep at night.

My mother, who has become completely withdrawn, has repeatedly called out to her daughter Chikako to go outside.

Daughter Chikako:
"I'm lying in bed like I'm always stuck, and even if I ask her to go outside or go shopping, she won't go at all."

Shopping Revolution born from "the voice of the person"

However, Chie Endo started going to the local supermarket again from the fall of last year (2022).

The reason for this was the "slow shopping" initiative started by Dr. Konno to "enjoy shopping even if you have dementia."

What secrets are hidden?

It is held every Thursday from 13 ~ 15 o'clock.

On the day of the interview, six groups of people with dementia and their families gathered one after another.

Then, 6 resident volunteers, called "partners," who are indispensable to this initiative, will be added.

Immediately, Chie Endo pushed the cart and started shopping for dinner.

Chie's side is solidified by two "partners".

It breaks down barriers to shopping when you need it while having casual conversations.

The first thing Chie started looking for was curry and stew roux.

However, I was confused because it was not easy to find the desired product in the large store.

And then...

Partner
: "This is the stew."

Chie Endo:
"Oh, there."

If you are in trouble, your partner will casually show you where the shelves are.

In addition, if there are too many types of products such as seasonings to choose well, the partner will narrow down the products and suggest them so that it is easy to choose.

Partner
: "Which do you prefer, light salty, kelp, or gentle salty?"

Plus, if you're about to buy too many of the same products, your partner will gently point them out.

Now you don't have to worry about buying too much and your family will be angry with you.

"Personal voices" create improvement of cash registers and sales floors

Even if you can choose products carefully, you will not be relieved.

This is because the biggest barrier for people with dementia, "accounting," is waiting for them.

This is because there is no end to the parties who stop shopping, blaming themselves for "causing trouble to those around them" because they get stuck in the accounting.

Dr. Konno, the founder, consulted with the supermarket about how to overcome the barrier of accounting when starting "slow shopping."

Then, they came up with a certain idea.

That is the priority cash register for people with dementia called "slow cash register".

No matter how long the line is at checkout, you don't have to worry about the eyes around you here.

You can pay slowly and at your own pace.

For supermarkets, "slow shopping" has become a great advantage.

I realized that the voices of people with dementia who gradually gathered over the course of the workshop would be a great hint for improving the sales floor.

For example, I learned that it is difficult for people with dementia to understand information boards that only use text, so I added illustrations that are easy to understand at a glance.

In addition, since elderly people tend to look down, the bulletin board was also displayed on the floor.

As a result, it was well received not only by the elderly, but also by people in wheelchairs and children, and it evolved into a "sales floor that is easy for everyone to use."

The most important thing is not to help too much

"Slow shopping" started in 2019.

It was held more than 140 times, with a total of more than 2800,<> participants.

During this time, while making repeated mistakes, he has come to see what is most important for the parties concerned to enjoy shopping.

That is, never "help too much".

In fact, when I first started slow shopping, my partner would take notes on their shopping or go on choosing products because they thought it was good.

Even if it was intended to be well-intentioned for the partner, it actually resulted in depriving the partner of what he could do.

From that reflection, now, no matter how long it takes to shop, no matter how much I go back and forth to the sales floor, I don't help too much except when I am in trouble.

Dr
. Toshiaki Konno: "After all, everyone wants to decide for themselves what they can decide, and they do not want to be helped in any way. I want help when I can't do it, but I want to do what I can. I think the act of shopping itself is an act that makes you realize that you are taking the initiative in doing it. The joy of choosing which one to choose according to your taste. "I'm a little worried, but I'm going to take the plunge and try the cash register by myself." "I was worried, but with a little help, I can feel the satisfaction of being able to do it all."

Dr
. Toshiaki Konno: "When people with dementia think that they can still do it on their own, they look happy, and I think that is an instinctive mental movement. I am taught that there are many possibilities. I think we have to respect that possibility. In fact, he says that the fact that he can enjoy shopping with enthusiasm is also rewarding for his partners."

Partner Hidemi Asanuma
: "It's interesting when I see a smile on my face, or rather, I'm happy, when a person who couldn't do accounting until now suddenly says that he wants to try accounting. Just because you have dementia doesn't mean that you can do everything, but I'm very happy that we can help you with what you can't do and sometimes what you couldn't do can come back again."

The desire to live has sprung up again

According to Dr. Konno, many participants in "slow shopping" regain confidence through shopping and have a positive impact on their daily lives.

Chie Endo is one of them.

Since she developed dementia, Chie has never been able to stand in the kitchen.

However, after I started participating in "slow shopping", I started to help cook.

During the interview, my daughter Chikako happily showed me one photo.

It was a picture of a mother and daughter when they went mountain climbing together.

Originally, Chie loved mountain climbing.

When I was young, I even went to climb the Matterhorn in Europe with my late husband.

I wasn't even interested in mountain climbing after I had dementia.

However, in November last year, when Chikako invited her to climb the mountain for the first time in a long time, she replied, "I want to climb it."

We climbed to the top of Hachimantai, which straddles Iwate and Akita at an altitude of 11m.

A photo of Chie's big smile taken in the mountains.

Ms. Chikako wanted to convey her joy to her friends who had consulted her about nursing care concerns, so she made a New Year's card with this photo.

Daughter
Chikako: "After going 'slow shopping,' my motivation returned. I was also happy to climb the mountain. I thought I could move so much. It's changing little by little. I guess I've gained confidence in myself. It's like I did it."

Even after dementia, there are still many things you can do.

By having fun with the government, welfare officials, volunteers, and everyone else can have fun and support only what is necessary, they will be able to live more energetically on their own and lead to a easier life for their families.

Urban development while valuing the "voice of the individual" is now spreading throughout the Japan.

NHK Special "Barrier-Free Summit for Dementia ~Voices Change the Town~"

【Broadcast schedule】 April 4 (Sat) General 1:10 p.m. ~ 00:10 p.m.

Project Center DirectorYosuke

SuzukiJoined the bureau
in 2010Produced information programs and documentaries covering
areas affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake, welfare for people with disabilities, labor issues, etc.

Project Center DirectorEmi

KawaJoined the bureau
in 2015Produced documentaries on social issues such as the welfare field