EDITORIAL | Rise in Dementia Cases Calls for Safe and Caring Communities

Experts estimate that by 2060, some 6.45 million Japanese will suffer from dementia. That accounts for one out of every 5.6 million individuals aged 65 and over. 

Furthermore, the number of people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the stage before full-blown dementia, is expected to reach 6.32 million ー in other words, one in every 2.8 elderly individuals. 

A research team from the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare (MHLW) recently released these statistics. As of 2022, the number of elderly afflicted with dementia stood at 4.43 million. They add up to one out of 8.1 people in that age group. 

What the Numbers Teach Us

This was the first time since 2015 that the government has released such statistics. Using MHLW data, this autumn it is scheduled to draw up a basic plan for policies to deal with dementia. 

The number of elderly individuals living in single person households is also expected to increase. That means officials need to create an environment based on a rise in their numbers. 

Improving the treatment of nursing care workers who support home nursing care services has become an urgent issue. Better treatment in the field of nursing care, which involves public funds and kaigo insurance premiums, is an area in which the government can demonstrate leadership. Nonetheless, wage increases in this sector have not been adequate to date. 

One step is the reconsideration of employment status and the way jobs are done. Another is reducing the burden on nursing care workers through the use of information and communication technology (ICT). That includes nursing care robots and other innovative approaches. 

Improving the foundation for nursing care services is crucial so that those who care for parents, spouses or other family members can continue to work. 

Urgent Need for Other Treatments

We also need to urgently develop new drugs for treating dementia-related conditions. The  new drug Lecanemab, which will be covered by insurance, is already being used to treat early-stage Alzheimer's disease and MCI. However, although it slows the progression of these conditions, it is not a cure. In other words, its therapeutic efficacy is limited.

Local governments also have a major role to play in slowing down the development of the problem. For example, they can do much to create communities in which even individuals with dementia can live alone safely. 

Some researchers have pointed out that around 30% of patients with MCI eventually show improvement. We need to create locations with adequate transportation options that make it easy for people to go out. Furthermore, we must create communities in which people will invite each other to go out. 

Good News

There is good news too. The estimates have improved from where they stood nine years ago. There have been noticeable changes in health consciousness in Japanese society, with success registered in treatments for lifestyle-related diseases that show a high correlation to the onset of dementia. Noticeably, there has also been a decline in smoking. Hopefully, these beneficial effects will continue. 

Experts say that people suffering from dementia can find purpose in life by holding down simple jobs or playing an active role in their local communities. More than anything else they do not want decisions made about them without having their own say. Working together with the people directly affected is the optimum approach for finding the best path forward.

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(Read the editorial in Japanese.)

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun