Akiyoshi Torikai

Akiyoshi Torikai

Age:

76 years old (As of July 2019 interview)

Year of birth:

1943

Place of residence:

Machida City, Tokyo

Relatives living together:

Lives with wife

Occupation:

Former photocopier design engineer for an electronics company

Age of onset:

About 35 years old

Diagnosis:

Vascular

Using long-term care insurance:

Uses day services twice a week / use short stay occasionally

Frequency of gatherings with other people with dementia:

I go to give lectures with a day facility director

Past experiences

1978年(35, 36)

I left my child at the park and came home alone. I told my wife that I went to the park alone.

1983年(40)

I had a subarachnoid hemorrhage and was hospitalized. 
I transferred to general affairs work after being discharged from the hospital. I worked until the retirement age.
Cognitive functions deteriorated. It might have been caused by the subarachnoid hemorrhage.

1993年(50)

I started to stay overnight at a facility that offered short-stay services.

Diagnosis

2013年(70)

Receive diagnosis of dementia.
I started to go to BLG.

2019年(76)

Although I have pain in my knees and back, people in similar circumstances come to the day service and enjoy together without any hierarchical relationship.

Joy in life and living

1

Joy that remains with you even after onset

Talking with others at BLG

2

Joy that remains with you even after onset

Hot-spring trips

3

Joy that remains with you even after onset

Taking an early morning walk with wife

Something you would like to do in the future

I would like to lead BLG. I would also like to do other difficult work and hope that my capability will expand. I proudly believe there are things I can still do.

Challenges in daily living

Physical and mental dysfunctions

Message to the society

After dementia diagnosis, I was forced to take easy jobs at work, and it was really hard for me.
The love of my family. Because of that, I got stronger little by little.
They would take me out to various places, and I really appreciate their help.