Japan’s Rising Dementia Challenge: Can Innovative Technology Provide Solutions?

In Japan, the issue of dementia has escalated to alarming levels, as evidenced by over 18,000 elderly individuals with dementia reported missing last year. Tragically, nearly 500 of these cases ended in fatalities.

Authorities indicate that the frequency of such incidents has surged twofold since 2012. Currently, individuals aged 65 and older constitute about 30% of Japan’s population, marking the second-largest ratio globally, only surpassed by Monaco, according to data from the World Bank.

This growing crisis is exacerbated by a dwindling labor pool and stringent regulations limiting the influx of foreign caregivers. Recognizing dementia as a significant policy dilemma, the Japanese government anticipates that expenses related to dementia care will soar to 14 trillion yen (approximately $90 billion) by 2030, up from an estimated nine trillion yen in 2025.

Technological Innovations to the Rescue

In response to this pressing situation, the government has shifted its focus towards leveraging technology as a means to alleviate the burden. Across various regions, tracking systems utilizing GPS technology are being implemented to monitor individuals who have wandered away.

Some areas are providing wearable GPS devices that immediately notify authorities if a person strays beyond a predefined boundary. In certain towns, employees at convenience stores receive instant alerts, forming a community support system that can locate a missing individual within hours.

Early Detection Through Advanced Technology

Additional technological advancements are being developed to enable earlier detection of dementia. For instance, aiGait, a collaboration between Fujitsu and Acer Medical, employs artificial intelligence to assess walking posture and patterns, identifying early indicators of dementia such as shuffling steps or difficulty with balance.

“Early detection of age-related diseases is key,” remarks Hidenori Fujiwara, a spokesperson for Fujitsu. “If doctors can utilize motion-capture data, they can intervene sooner and assist individuals in maintaining their activity levels for a longer duration.”

Meanwhile, researchers at Waseda University are innovating AIREC, a humanoid robot weighing 150 kilograms, aimed at becoming a caregiver of the future. This robot can assist with tasks like putting on socks, cooking eggs, and folding laundry, with hopes that it will eventually handle more complex duties such as changing adult diapers and preventing bedsores.

Similar robots are already operational in care facilities, engaging residents with music or guiding them through simple stretching routines. They also monitor patients’ nighttime conditions by being placed under mattresses, thereby reducing the need for human caregivers to conduct rounds.

The Future of Caregiving

Although the development of humanoid robots is progressing, Assistant Professor Tamon Miyake warns that achieving the necessary precision and cognitive capabilities to interact safely with humans will require a minimum of five more years.

“It necessitates comprehensive sensing and an adaptive understanding of how to cater to individual needs and circumstances,” he explains.

In addition to physical assistance, emotional support is a vital aspect of these innovations. The Poketomo robot, measuring just 12 centimeters, is designed to be portable, reminding users to take their medications, providing real-time weather updates, and offering companionship to those living alone—an initiative aimed at combating social isolation.

“Our focus is on addressing social challenges and employing new technology to help tackle these issues,” states Miho Kagei, a development manager at Sharp.

While these robotic solutions are promising, the value of human interaction remains irreplaceable. Mr. Miyake emphasizes, “Robots ought to complement rather than replace human caregivers. They can assist with certain tasks, but their primary function is to support both caregivers and patients alike.”

Community Engagement and Meaningful Interactions

An illustrative example of community engagement is the Restaurant of Mistaken Orders in Sengawa, Tokyo, established by Akiko Kanna. This unique café employs individuals with dementia to serve customers, aiming to create an environment where they can remain active and feel a sense of purpose.

Toshio Morita, one of the café’s servers, utilizes flowers as a mnemonic device to remember which table ordered what. Despite his cognitive challenges, Mr. Morita finds joy in the interactions, while his wife benefits from the café as a means of respite and engagement.

Ms. Kanna’s initiative exemplifies the importance of social interventions and community support in the lives of those affected by dementia. While technology can provide essential tools and relief, it is the genuine human connections that truly nurture individuals living with this condition.

“To be honest, I just wanted a bit of pocket money. I enjoy meeting all sorts of people,” Mr. Morita shares. “Everyone is unique, and that’s what makes it enjoyable.”