University experts attend Japan-UK dementia events in Tokyo

Experts from the University of Stirling are taking part in two Japan-UK Dementia events in Tokyo looking at the universal challenges of the condition.

Chair in Dementia, Professor Emma Reynish

Chair in Dementia, Professor Emma Reynish, and Chief Architect of the Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC), Lesley Palmer, are speaking at breakout sessions during a UK-Japan Dementia Conference hosted by Nikkei Inc. and the Financial Times on March 15.

Professor Reynish will also speak at the ‘Seminar on dementia research through multidisciplinary approaches – perspectives on care and community/environment’ which is being held at the Ambassador’s Residence in the British Embassy on March 16.

The events aim to develop links for future UK-Japan collaboration by sharing best practice.

Chief Architect of the Dementia Services Development Centre, Lesley Palmer

They will also raise the profile of the UK’s expertise in multidisciplinary research on dementia care and community/environment among key Japanese stakeholders from industry, government and academia.

Professor Reynish said: “This is an opportunity to build on the work we are doing in the UK on the management of patients with confusion in the acute hospital, and look at improving patients’ outcomes on an international scale.

“The challenges faced in the acute hospital environment are not unique to the UK, and this is an opportunity for collaborative learning and research.”

She will talk about the University’s Memorandum of Understanding with Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Gerontology (TMIG), which was agreed in February last year to share expertise in supporting older people and to promote inclusive and personalised approaches to dementia care.

Professor Reynish will also present findings from the University’s current work in the area of the acute hospital.

In addition, she will talk about the DSDC’s collaboration with developers Tokyu Land Corporation and their partner Mediva Inc. on the design of dementia-friendly care homes, as well as the development of Iridis - a mobile app to enhance home and hospital environments for people with dementia.

Dr Hideki Ito, of TMIG, and Kanoko Oishi, CEO at Mediva, will then talk about how their collaboration with Stirling was established and how it adds value to their work.

Dementia is a particularly pressing challenge for Japan which has the world’s most ageing society. In 2012, 4.62 million people had dementia and this number is expected to exceed 7 million by 2025.