I envy American seniors because they suffer less with dementia
Why New York Times picked up a Japanese old man with dementia?
Because the overseas media must be curious about the followings:
1. Outstanding number of those who are suffering with dementia
2. A culture of shame still alive and well
3. Advanced technology applied to surprising purposes
4. Rapid change of Japanese society
Let the New York Times Weekly dated Mar. 6 , 2022 speak about the details of 1 to 4.
For 1, Japan tops the list in the number of those suffered with dementia according to OECD (the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development)
Those suffered account for 4.3% of the whole nation’s population.
For 2, New York Times says that families sometimes hide away people with dementia fearing that erratic behavior could inconvenience the community.
Hiding something undesirable instead of exposing is still a way of life in Japan.
We still believe in not inconvenience other people and society. I wonder if seniors suffering dementia get worse while forced kept inside.
For 3, An old man, 78, was found safe because of surveillance cameras.
He was identified in Itami, a suburb of Osaka where he lives, with the help of 1.000 sensors line the streets.
When he went walking, the system recorded his location through a beacon in his wallet and sent his family steady alerts.
GPS trackers are ready to use for those who fear being lost on the way.
For 4, Japanese are thought not to speak out and less concerned about their right and dignity.
But look at those who resist being watched and under surveillance.
They now are raising concerns about tracking, warning that the cameras could threaten the dignity and freedom.
Japanese people are intensely protective of their personal privacy, and many municipalities have adopted less intrusive forms of electronic tracking.
Envy Americans with less dementia tendency
Japanese outnumbers the rest of the world in percentage of those with dementia.
I am deeply concerned about it.
As I lived in Wisconsin, I watched many American seniors far from suffering dementia.
I found out why Americans are less inclined to trouble with dementia.
Because:
1. They are church goers.
A 2004 survey tells us that Catholics account for 24% of the whole population and protestants 22%, which means almost half of the nation go to churches every Sunday.
Churches are places for chatting each other and sharing joy and comforts with others which I think rejuvenate those faithful ones alienating them from dementia.
2. They use cars
Cars are their legs.
Operation of a car must make people awake with all directions freeing them from diseases like dementia.
3. They are self-dependent by nature
They are brought up under the circumstance of self-help.
Less reliance on others should keep one in tense which must keep one awake not forgetful.
I envy American seniors.
Ichiro
Professor, Seiwa University, Japan
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