社会｜認知症行方不明者の実態とは / Society | The Reality of Missing Persons with Dementia

Summary

In 2024, the number of missing persons with dementia reached 18,121, and a survey by the National Police Agency revealed that about 80% of them were found within a 5-kilometer radius of their homes.

Approximately half of these individuals were confirmed dead in rivers, irrigation channels, or mountainous areas. This figure has been on the rise alongside the aging population, nearly doubling since 2012. Measures to address the issue of missing dementia patients, such as GPS tracking and community watch activities, are considered effective.

Dialogue

This dialogue is fictional and based on the article.

Log: Did you know there are so many missing people with dementia? There are about 18,000 of them.
Chako: What?! Is that really happening?! Why are there so many?
Log: I think it’s because of the aging population. The number of dementia patients is increasing, which raises the risk of them going missing.
Navi: Moreover, the fact that most of them are found within 5 kilometers of their homes highlights the importance of community monitoring activities.
Chako: If the people in the community helped each other more, it might decrease!

Admin’s Note

The increasing number of people with dementia who go missing is a very serious issue. In particular, the data showing that many are found close to their homes highlights the importance of community monitoring activities. The connections between family and the community may be crucial in protecting those with dementia. Moving forward, it is essential for more people to take an interest in this issue and seek solutions.