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In Japan, it takes a community to help dementia patients

Rapidly ageing Japan is working hard to ensure sufferers get support they need

An Orange patrol, which is conducted regularly by supporters in Matsudo city, Chiba prefecture. The nationwide Orange Plan was launched in 2015 to provide a comprehensive suite of dementia detection and support initiatives. People with dementia takin
Aiko, one of the waitresses at the pop-up Restaurant of Order Mistakes staffed by dementia sufferers in Tokyo, interacting with customers. PHOTO: YUKI MORISHIMA (D-CORD)
An Orange patrol, which is conducted regularly by supporters in Matsudo city, Chiba prefecture. The nationwide Orange Plan was launched in 2015 to provide a comprehensive suite of dementia detection and support initiatives. People with dementia takin
An Orange patrol, which is conducted regularly by supporters in Matsudo city, Chiba prefecture. The nationwide Orange Plan was launched in 2015 to provide a comprehensive suite of dementia detection and support initiatives. PHOTO: TOR CHING LI
An Orange patrol, which is conducted regularly by supporters in Matsudo city, Chiba prefecture. The nationwide Orange Plan was launched in 2015 to provide a comprehensive suite of dementia detection and support initiatives. People with dementia takin
People with dementia taking part in a rice cake pounding festival with the local community in Uji city in Kyoto prefecture. PHOTO: UJI CITY PUBLIC WELFARE CORPORATION
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TOKYO • Every Thursday, a volunteer turns up at the home of Madam Keiko Hayashi to take her elderly mother for an hour's walk.

This frees Madam Hayashi to clean and tidy her mother's room. But the real reason is that her 77-year-old mother has dementia, which makes her suspicious of people, including loved ones.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on April 14, 2018, with the headline In Japan, it takes a community to help dementia patients. Subscribe