“After the Diagnosis — ‘This Can’t Be True!?’”

In June 2022, when I was 64, I was told the diagnosis by my doctor. My first reaction was, “This can’t be true—I hope it’s not!” I kept telling myself it must be some kind of mistake. At the same time, the thought that it might actually be true came as a shock, and I fell into deep discouragement. My wife and children also grew increasingly anxious as they thought about the future. The bright, cheerful everyday life we had known suddenly felt very different. But physically, I was still well. My daily life hadn’t changed—I could still enjoy my meals and even a drink. Staying at home wouldn’t help, so my wife and I visited various consultation services, but we struggled to find the support we were really looking for.

Encounter with the Young-Onset Dementia Support Center

At that time, my daughter said, “Dad, I found a great place! They’ll even come to visit and talk with you—it’s wonderful!” She had found the Saitama Prefecture Young-Onset Dementia Support Center. My wife and I felt a great sense of relief. A coordinator visited us and listened attentively to my feelings and my wife’s concerns. I shared my strong desire to keep working.
Through them, I was introduced to a cleaning job at a special nursing home in Fukaya City, where Ms. Tomoko Iwata, an Orange Tutor, works. I now work there twice a week. The work is different from what I used to do, so it can be challenging at times, but the residents sometimes speak kindly to me, which makes it enjoyable and rewarding. I hope to continue as long as I can.

As a Member of Team Orange — “Illness is Illness; There’s No Point in Dwelling on It!”

At the same time as I started working, my wife and I began volunteering once a week as members of Team Orange at a café inside the facility. While helping at the café, there are moments when I almost forget about my illness. I’ve also gotten into playing mahjong with friends from the café—it has become my greatest enjoyment.
In September 2025, I was appointed as a Saitama Orange Ambassador. Illness is illness. I can’t—and don’t want to—imagine what lies ahead. Even with dementia, I want to live joyfully in the present. As an Orange Ambassador, I hope to share this feeling with others.

Written by Masayuki Tajima
Translated by Satoshi Nakano