Accepting the Diagnosis Without Difficulty

In July 2015, when I was 75 years old, I was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
I had already been experiencing some forgetfulness, but I thought it was simply part of getting older. So neither my wife nor I felt particularly worried or anxious, and we accepted the diagnosis without difficulty.
I was a motorcycle police officer who had the honor of escorting Abebe, the Ethiopian runner who won the gold medal in the marathon at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. I can still vividly remember the scenes from that day. Perhaps because I trained hard physically during my time at the police academy, I am still quite strong for my age and continue to stand tall with good posture.

Photos Help Me Remember My Time at Day Care

I currently attend a day care service three times a week. I cannot remember at all what I did there, but in the notebook I bring home from the day care center, there are photographs of me smiling and looking as though I am having a wonderful time. So I imagine that I must have enjoyed myself and had a fulfilling time while I was there.

Going for Walks with a Notebook Handwritten by My Wife

On days when I do not go to day care, taking a walk is part of my daily routine. I love greeting the people I meet along the way and stopping to talk with them. Fortunately, people in my neighborhood know that I have dementia. So when I occasionally cannot remember the way home, I can ask someone nearby for help by saying, “I have dementia. Could you please tell me how to get home?” I do not feel embarrassed about asking for help. I can tell people my home address, including the street number, but I have difficulty remembering the names of nearby landmarks and places. So in the notebook that I always carry with me, my wife has drawn a map showing where our home is and written down her contact information.

Every Day Is the Beginning of a New Day

It is now my eleventh year of living with dementia, but I am still able to take care of all my personal needs by myself, including getting dressed, bathing, and using the toilet.
When my wife and I go for a drive and I see beautiful scenery, the words “It’s beautiful” naturally come to my lips. When I hear songs from the past, for some reason tears begin to flow. I truly feel that I am happy with my life as it is now. Deep in my heart, I feel, “There is nothing I am afraid of, and there is nothing I need to worry about.” I look forward to each day, because every day feels like the beginning of a new day.

Written By Mutsuo Fujii
Translated BY Satoshi Nakano