Making the change from "satisfying customers" to "exciting them." In order to contribute toward building a town that makes life easier for patients with dementia (chronic forgetfulness) and their families, members of the Doto Pharmaceuticals Department are putting into order a more beneficial healthcare environment for them.

This activity began with the idea of eliminating the anxiety experienced by elderly persons and their families concerning a proper understanding of dementia and where to go for advice if a family member suffers from dementia.

In specific terms, in order to promote the early detection of dementia and then diagnose and treat it, members of the Doto Pharmaceuticals Department worked closely during fiscal 2003 with the Kushiro Medical Association to prepare a list of doctors to contact for discussing dementia. This was the first such list prepared anywhere in Japan.
Citizen forums were also held to provide participants with a proper understanding of dementia. Although the forums were centered on the families of elderly persons suffering from dementia, many persons from the healthcare, social welfare, and nursing fields also participated. The list of doctors had been prepared and was distributed to all participants for their reference and use.

Many comments were received from the participants. One, for example, said, "My family was happy to learn about where to go for dementia consultations," and another said, "The forum and the list of doctors was a great help for us." Those of us in the Doto Pharmaceuticals Department will continue our activities for building a better town for elderly persons to reside in.