Behavioral improvement of dementia residents in a group home with an increased number of residents after the Great East Japan Earthquake 2011

Abstract

The Great East Japan Earthquake 2011 occurred on March 11 (Meguro, 2011). Group homes (GH)-A and B, run by a private company, were located in the coastal area of Kesen-numa city and damaged by the disaster. Fourteen of the 17 elderly residents living prior to the disaster in GH-A and B were evacuated to another GH-C run by the same company. The number of residents prior to the disaster in GH-C was nine, but almost tripled to 23 after the disaster, and several residents started to live together in one room. Compatibility of residents living in the same room was examined. Worsening of behavioral abnormalities caused by overcrowding was anticipated, but surprisingly behavior was improved (see Supplementary Table S1, available as supplementary material attached to the electronic version of this paper at www.journals.cambridge.org/jid_IPG).

Increased risk of dementia in the aftermath of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami

“…Therefore, the effect of housing damage on cognitive decline is a robust finding. Previous studies have hinted that experiences of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami are linked with heightened risk of cognitive decline (5,6,(13)(14)(15). In the United States, Cherry et al showed that short-term and working-memory performance was adversely affected in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita (16).…”

Alzheimer's disease patients institutionalized in group homes run by long‐term care insurance exhibit fewer symptoms of behavioural problems as evaluated by the Behavioural Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale

“…It is not clear whether GH care is the best treatment strategy for dementia. A previous study reported that GH residents with dementia showed improvements in behaviour after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 . Usually, the fixed number of GH units is 9, but this GH had 23 after the disaster, and residents began to live together in single rooms .…”

“…A previous study reported that GH residents with dementia showed improvements in behaviour after the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 . Usually, the fixed number of GH units is 9, but this GH had 23 after the disaster, and residents began to live together in single rooms . Some patients subsequently demonstrated improvements in behaviour; for example, a moderate AD resident began to help clean up after eating .…”

“…16 Usually, the fixed number of GH units is 9, but this GH had 23 after the disaster, and residents began to live together in single rooms. 16 Some patients subsequently demonstrated improvements in behaviour; for example, a moderate AD resident began to help clean up after eating. 16 Living in small groups and dining in large groups may have reminded the residents of their family and school life.…”

“…16 Living in small groups and dining in large groups may have reminded the residents of their family and school life. 16 In this GH, staff members considered the characteristics of patients and selected three individuals to live together; this process had a positive effect. However, it is difficult to use this approach routinely because the staff at many GH are often limited, and patients are not admitted to facilities based on their characteristics.…”