“The 8th Memory Disorders Forum” (sponsored by the Asahi Shimbun, co-sponsored by Eisai Co., Ltd. and Pfizer Japan Inc.) was held on September 23, 2008 at the Tokyo International Forum (Tokyo) with approximately 2,700 people attended.
This forum, started in 2001, has been planned as a memorial event for the World Alzheimer's Day, September 21 each year, and marks 8th year this year. During the past seven years, more than 40,000 people attended the forum.
This year, people engaging in various fields were invited to give presentations and discussions on the theme of “Living with Dementia.” The participants learned the importance of early consultation with doctors and quick response to the doubtful signs and symptoms, and what they needed to remember in caring for people with dementia.
At the beginning, an ongoing administrative effort was introduced, which aims to create communities where people with dementia can live a safe and independent life. Following that, a special lecture “Basic knowledge about dementia” was given. The speaker reminded all the participants that the dementia is a common disease and that whole community needs to consider what kind of supports they can provide to help the patients and their families. At the next session, doctors, nurses, and those who care for family members with dementia talked about the disease from their own points of view, on the theme of “Learn from the patients and their families.” These included speeches on “living with dementia,” “Caring for a person with dementia,” and “The things I did when I suspect my family member had dementia” At the end of the session, the dementia patient came on the stage and played “
akatonnbo” (Japanese nursery rhyme) on harmonica.
At the lobby floor, information counter about the dedicated dementia website “www.e-65.net” (Japanese only), consultation counter about forgetfulness, and exhibition corner by dementia family associations were set up. In front of each counter and exhibition there were a lot of people waiting in line, proving participants eagerness to learn about the disease.
Eisai Co., Ltd. has cosponsored the “Memory Disorders Forum” as a part of its continuous efforts to raise public awareness of dementia.
