Category: Elderly

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 13, 2024 1
2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Care Disability Disasters Earthquake Elderly Japan

After the Quake, Concerns Rise for Service Users and Staff at Ishikawa Care Facilities

A massive earthquake that struck central Japan on New Year’s Day has now claimed 215 lives in Ishikawa Prefecture. Fourteen people who evacuated to safety are now believed to have died from causes related to the disaster. Medical experts warn the figure could increase due to poor sanitary conditions in shelters.

A survey has found that caregivers at facilities for the elderly and people with disabilities are working under extreme stress following the earthquake.

One facility said only ten percent of its staff are able to come to work, and that some employees have been working since New Year’s Day.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 13, 2024 Number of comments0
2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disability Disasters Earthquake Elderly Japan Podcast

Disability News Japan Podcast: After the Quake, Concerns Rise for Service Users and Staff at Ishikawa Care Facilities

A massive earthquake that struck central Japan on New Year’s Day has now claimed 215 lives in Ishikawa Prefecture. Fourteen people who evacuated to safety are now believed to have died from causes related to the disaster. Medical experts warn the figure could increase due to poor sanitary conditions in shelters.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 12, 2024 1
2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Care Disability Earthquake Elderly Japan

Post-quake survey: Staff exhausted at care facilities for elderly and disabled

A survey has found that caregivers at facilities for the elderly and people with disabilities are working under extreme stress following the massive earthquake that struck the Noto Peninsula on New Year’s Day.

The Noto Welfare Relief Volunteer Network delivered relief supplies and surveyed 12 welfare facilities in Wajima City, Anamizu Town, and Nanao City in Ishikawa Prefecture on Saturday and Sunday.

The volunteer network says all 12 facilities had no running water. Some facilities said they found it difficult to manage basic sanitary needs and oral hygiene of those in their care.
Others said some people receiving care for dementia cannot understand the situation, and that many have become mentally unstable and incontinent.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 11, 2024 Number of comments0
2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disability Disasters Earthquake Elderly Japan

Concerns Grow Over Spread of COVID-19 at Ishikawa Evacuation Center

There is a growing sense of caution regarding infectious diseases such as COVID-19 at an evacuation center in Noto, Ishikawa Prefecture, where more than 200 people have been evacuated.

A total of 14 people — those suspected of contracting infectious diseases and their family members — have been separated from other evacuees. They have been placed in three classrooms and a medical room on Tuesday at Ogi Junior High School, which has been turned into a shelter.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 11, 2024 Number of comments0
2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disability Disasters Elderly Japan Podcast

Disability News Japan Podcast: Concerns Grow for Elderly as Deaths from Indirect Causes after Quake Increase

Of the total, eight died of indirect causes related to the earthquake, including exhaustion and poor health during evacuation. As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, the number of people still unaccounted for stood at 52.

The Japanese government plans to focus more on preventing deaths from indirect causes, rushing to move evacuees, especially elderly people, from stopgap shelters to more livable accommodation out of concern about deteriorating sanitary conditions.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 11, 2024 2
2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Disability Disasters Earthquake Elderly Japan

Death Toll in Central Japan Quake Rises to 206, 8 Deaths Due to “indirect causes related to the earthquake”

Of the total, eight died of indirect causes related to the earthquake, including exhaustion and poor health during evacuation. As of 2 p.m. Wednesday, the number of people still unaccounted for stood at 52.

The Japanese government plans to focus more on preventing deaths from indirect causes, rushing to move evacuees, especially elderly people, from stopgap shelters to more livable accommodation out of concern about deteriorating sanitary conditions.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt January 5, 2024 Number of comments0
2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake Care Elderly Japan Podcast

Disability News Japan Podcast: Residents of Ishikawa Care Homes Unable to Use Toilet or Take a Bath

According to Ishikawa Prefecture, as of 10 a.m. on the 4th, damage such as water outages and power outages had been confirmed at around 120 elderly facilities in the prefecture, including special nursing homes and group homes.

Residents are not able to take a bath, and the toilets cannot be flushed, raising concerns about hygiene.

by Michael Gillan Peckitt December 29, 2023 Number of comments0
Barrier Free Disability Discrimination Elderly Nagoya Podcast

Disability News Japan Podcast: At Nagoya Castle Debate Wheelchair User Told “Don’t confuse equality with your selfishness”

After more than 400 years, the iconic Nagoya Castle is under siege, this time by those wanting to make it more accessible to wheelchair-users and those who are determined to keep it as original as possible.

At a town hall meeting on the planned reconstruction of the castle here on June 3, a man scolded a wheelchair-user.

“Don’t confuse equality with your selfishness,” the man said. “How dare you be so selfish.”