特集
  • 介護
  • くらし

What kind of choice could a family caregiver have? -story from Tokoname, Aichi-

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概要

VTR1 ( First part )
This VTR introduces daily life of Akira Ito(62) and his wife, Etsuko(60) who live in Tokoname city in Aichi prefecture where pottery making is its local specialty. 10 years ago, at the age of 52 Akira was diagnosed as Alzheimer’s disease. As the illness developed, 3 years ago the level of care needed for him became 5 which is the highest level. Now his wife, Etsuko provides care for him at home. Etsuko opened a “café Tokonameya” 20 years ago with friends who shares ambition for regional development. After she found out that Akira has dementia, she’s been working and also taking care of Akira as much as possible. She says “It gives me strength to remember what Akira told me. He said ‘If I do a job, do a good job.’” They cannot be together all the time. However, whenever they could, they are filled with lots of smile. Akira has been supporting Etsuko’s effort to promote the charms of Tokoname every minute.

VTR2 ( Sequel )
This video is a sequel to the story of Akira Ito (62) , who was diagnosed as early-onset dementia 10 years ago, and his wife Etsuko. Akira smiles more often since he has started to use day service once a week 3 years ago. Although it is a bit hard for Etsuko who has to take him to the day service far from their house, she thankfully says “I was saved by the advice I got from the people working for the facility many times.”
On the other hand, at the café for promoting local charms “Tokonameya”, they hold “Communal café Tokoname” for person with dementia and also for family caregivers once a month from last April. It started because a welfare administrator from the city office suggested Etsuko to have a “dementia café”. However, since Etsuko is deeply familiar with the difficulty of family caregiver go through, she decided to make it a “communal café” where family could enjoy chatting over knitting and such instead of making it a “dementia café”. In this way, Etsuko deals with her job and care for Akira at the same time. And this also makes Akira smile as well.

<Japanese Version>
介護家族の選択 まちづくりが二人の願いだった〜愛知県常滑市〜
https://www.ninchisho-forum.com/movie/n_067_01.html