[9-10] Designing effective interpersonal communication in improving the well-being of dementia patients: The Yumetomo (“Dream Together”) Project in Kadoma City, Japan
Presentation language：English
Japan is one of the world’s fastest graying societies, experiencing rapid growth in the number of people with dementia. Such patients often feel disconnected from society, causing them to lose hope and suffer negative effects to their well-being. To remedy these issues, in addition to medical treatment and physical caregiving, it is crucial to offer support through consciously designed communication opportunities between dementia patients and others as a means of nurturing connection to the surrounding community. The presenters will describe the “Dream Together” project in Kadoma City, Japan (implemented since 2018), which serves such ends—constructing a vibrant, fulfilling context for interpersonal communication where dementia patients can flourish as they relate with fellow residents. Through Dream Together, dementia patients engage in cooperative, enjoyable activities designed to empower them with a sense of ownership and agency while performing social roles. For example, with local residents, dementia patients worked in a neighborhood café, sang in a concert, ran a mini-marathon, and weaved artistic tapestries. As a result, positive changes were observed in those patients’ mental health outcomes. The presenters will discuss this program’s key success factors—bridging theory and practice by analyzing how communication opportunities were designed to foster community and connection.