Received the news of suspected dementia during my hospitalization for an injury

In the fall of 2018, when I was hospitalized due to an injury during weekend rice harvesting, I was told I had suspected dementia, but I did not believe it. After that, I continued to work but the company told me to see a doctor due to an increase in mistakes. In February 2019, at the age of 57, I was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease, and six months later, I was asked to by the company. The first thought that came to my mind at that time wasn’t shock, but rather ‘Will I be able to live?’“.

Started working at a support center the day after my resignation.

I was constantly thinking about ‘What should I do?’ and ‘What will I do from now on?’ after my diagnosis completely changed my life. When I received the diagnosis, my wife consulted with the Nara Prefecture Young-onset Dementia Support Center about our life after my retirement. I remember that from the day after my retirement, I went with a coordinator to the Community Comprehensive Support Center and the Regional Disability Life Support Center, where I said everywhere, ‘I’m in good health, so there’s no point in staying at home; I am willing to do anything’.

Type B Employment Support Facility and various activities – Understanding rather than giving up.

I currently, go to the Type B Employment Support Facility five days a week with my wife’s transportation, and on weekends I swim in the pool at a prefectural sports facility in the morning. In addition, I regularly participate in activities for individuals at the Young-Onset Dementia Support Center and events organized by AAJ. Since September 2024, I have also been a member of Team Orange, organized by the Community Comprehensive Support Center. When someone says to me, ‘Okada-san, how about this, Okada-san?’ or introduces something, I usually go and try it out, and if I feel inspired to continue, I stick with it. I have encountered things I can no longer do alone, but rather than giving up on anything, I think I will continue to do what I can accept and be satisfied with. The presence of Masaaki Hirai, who is a comrade from the same area, is reassuring, and it’s comforting to have him accompany me to and from the activities. Although it’s now always rewarding and fun, as I continued even when I initially didn’t understand, the number of people and places that cared about me, like ‘Okada-san’, gradually increased.

Written by Kiyoshi Okada
Translated by Satoshi Nakano, Noriyo Washizu