Accepting in forests

A doctor invented a new approach to mental diseases and dementia of the elderly. It may prove very useful to Japan

Japan is greying. With ageing population rising faster than other advanced countries, dementia is increasing too. There were over 250 thousand people with dementia in 2010; it is expected to rise to 340 thousand in 2020. In Tohoku region, where the earthquake, tsunami and the nuclear accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant occurred in March, there are between 6400 and 8400 people with the symptom, according to one estimate. Among victims are also those who want to heal their mental scares. How should Japan deal with dementia and healing of minds of the elderly?

Reminiscence therapy (RT) is a useful solution to those issues. Proposed by Robert Butler, an American physician, in 1963, it is a psychological therapy that helps elderly people recall past events in their lives and share them with others. It is often used for the treatment of dementia and is said to be relatively cheap among experts. What is important is the ability to listen carefully and humbly to what elderly people say and empathise with them. In her book “Reminiscence Therapy and Life Review”, Toyoko Nomura claims that RT has a positive role: “Reminiscence of the elderly is a natural psychological process that enables them to reconsider their unsolved problems.”

The aim of RT is to give joy and pleasure to the elderly. Without such things, they are likely to feel bored with their life, eventually causing dementia. There are a wide range of effects of RT such as self- reintegration, overcoming trauma, feeling more self-esteem, and fostering friendship with others.