Members
Theme Leader :
Kae Ito, M.D., Ph.D.
Researcher :
Shuji Tsuda, M.D., M.P.H., Ph.D.
Adjunct Researcher :
Ayumi Hida, M.D., Ph.D., Attorney at Law, Yoshihiko Baba, MPhil, Ph.D., Kazunori Kikuchi, C.S.W., M.A., Mayuko Ono, M.A., Ph.D. Riko Nakayama, M.A., Nobuko Nagano, Ph.D., Rika Iwakiri, M.D., Ph.D., Go Nakajima, M.D. , Ph.D., Keisuke Shimizu, M.D.
Keywords
Social Inclusion, Health Equity, Dementia Care in the Community, Clinical Ethics, Advocacy, Interprofessional Education, Well-being
Major Research Titles
Our research focuses on older adults who face complex and challenging circumstances that lead to social marginalization. We aim to develop innovative solutions for community care systems that address their diverse needs and enhance their well-being. Our work centers on the five key research areas to achieve this goal:
- Ethical Issues in Health and Social Care
- Post-diagnostic Dementia Care
- Care for Older Adults with Complex Care Needs
- Dementia Care Systems in Rural and Remote Areas
- Psychological Care for Older Adults
Profile
1. Ethical Issues in Health and Social Care
Clinical practices always involve ethical considerations, and geriatric care is a unique intersection of medicine, ethics, and law. Our research explores critical issues in decision-making, a fundamental aspect of clinical ethics, and stigma, a central challenge to social inclusion. Below are selected publications related to this research area.
- Medical Consent Rights from a clinical perspective: a questionnaire survey of clinicians.
Hida A, Ito K. Journal of Clincal Ethics, 12:52-65, 2024
- Ethical Challenges in Supporting Patients with Dementia: Insights from a Survey of Medical Social Workers.
Hida A, Ito K. Journal of Clinical Ethics, 13: 2025 (in press)
- Effects of clinical stage, behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, and living arrangement on social distance towards people with dementia.
Ito K, Tsuda S. PLoS One;20(1):e0317911 2025
2. Post-diagnostic Dementia Care
In the past, people with dementia faced significant barriers in accessing medical care, and providing pre-diagnostic support within the community was a crucial response. To date, the focus has shifted to post-diagnostic support to ensure ongoing care and improve well-being. As highlighted in the 2022 report by Alzheimer's Disease International, "we should not encourage people to receive a diagnosis if post-diagnostic support is not available," Timely, appropriate post-diagnostic support remains a key challenge in dementia care. Our research explores the updated roles of healthcare professionals in community-based dementia care and proposes effective systems for delivering post-diagnosis support that maximizes the potential of each professional.
In Japan, community-based integrated care systems for dementia have been established, encompassing medical care, long-term care, and the public health sector. The system features a multi-layered structure, including Centers for Dementia, Dementia Support Doctors, and primary care doctors. Community Comprehensive Support Centers bridge medical and long-term care services. Our research clarifies the roles and practices of these medical providers in community-based dementia care.
Publications on Medical Centers for Dementia
- Post-diagnostic support for people with early-onsent dementia by the Medical Centers for Dementia in Japan.
Hatakeyama K, Edahiro A, Shina T, et al. Japanese Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 34(5):477-86, 2023
- Development of consultation manual for therapeutic monoclonal antibodies indementia: an categorization of inquiries received by the medical center for dementia.
Ono M, Hatakeyama K, Saito K, Ito K. Japanese Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 35(5):491-501 2024
Publications on Dementia Support Doctors
- The expected role of dementia support doctors in dealing with complex cases of older people with dementia.
Ito K, Tsuda S, Yamashita M, et al. Nippon Ronen Igakkai Zasshi, 60(3):251-60, 2023
- Regional differences in the clinical practice of dementia support doctors: comparison between the Tokyo and Tohoku regions
K Ito, C ura, M Sugiyama, A Edahiro, T Okamura. Psychogeriatrics, 25: e70012, 2025
Publications on Primary Care
- Collaborative care models of primary care clinics for people with early-stage dementia: A cross-sectional survey of primary care physicians in Japan.
Tsuda S, Toya J, Ito K. Int J Integr Care. 2024.
- Enhancing independence for people living alone with dementia: Insights from home-visit nurses.
Tsuda S, Ono M, Nakajima T, Ito K. Alzheimer's Disease International; Krakow. 2024
3. Care for Older Adults with Complex Care Needs
Publications on Clinical Characteristics of Older Individuals with Complex Care Needs
- Older people living in the community with delusion.
Ito K. Geriatr Gerontol Int, 24 suppl 1:118-22, 2023
- Characteristics of complex cases of community-dwelling older people with cognitive impairment: A classification and its relationships to clinical stages of dementia.
Ito K, Okamura T, Tsuda S, Ogisawa F, Awata S. Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2022;22:997-1004.
- Diogenes syndrome in a 10-year retrospective observational study: An elderly case series in Tokyo.
Ito K, Okamura T, Tsuda S, Awata S. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 37(1), 2022
Publications on Missing Older Individuals with Dementia
- A study on the incidence rate of missing persons with dementia living alone in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
Kikuchi K, Ikeuchi T, Awata S. Geriatr Gerontol Int, 23(11):890-1, 2023
- Exploratory study on the factors related with the early detection of missing older persons with dementia living alone in Japan.
Kikuchi K, Ooguchi T, Ikeuchi T, Awata S. Geriatr Gerontol Int, 23(5):362-5, 2023
- Estimation of the Number of Missing Older Persons with Dementia in Japan.
Kikuchi K, Ikeuchi T, Awata S. Geriatr Gerontol Int;24(5):499-501, 2024
- An exploratory study on municipal measures for preventing and addressing incidents of missing older persons with dementia living alone in Japan.
Kikuchi K, Ooguchi T, Ikeuchi T, Awata S. Psychogeriatrics (in press)
4. Dementia Care Systems in Rural and Remote Areas
Japan has designated 885 cities, towns, and villages as depopulated areas, accounting for 51.5% of all municipalities. Approximately 10% of the population resides in these areas, indicating that a significant number of people with dementia may face limited access to medical and long-term care services. Our research seeks to map the current practices of Community-based Comprehensive Care Systems and propose solutions to enhance healthcare delivery in these regions. Below are selected publications related to this research area.
- Current status and issues of support for dementia care services in remote islands in Tokyo
Ito K, Tsuda S. Japanese Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 35(１):26-37, 2024
- Informal care for people with dementia living in the community: Insights from rural Bavaria, Germany.
Tsuda S, Yan Z, Christiansen-Lammel P, Ito K. Journal of Japanese Society for Dementia Care (in press)
5. Psychological Care for Older Adults
Publications on Gratitude in Older Adults
- The components of gratitude in older adults.
Ono M, Ito K, Ikeuchi T, Fujino H, Osada H. Journal of Human Care Studies, 23:31-42, 2023
- The objects of gratitude in interpersonal or non-interpersonal relationships among older adults.
Ono M, Ito K, Ikeuchi T, Fujino H, Osada H. Applied Gerontology, 1:51-61, 2023
- Development of a gratitude scale for older adults.
Ono M, Osada H. Japanese journal of gerontology, 46(4):327-337, 2025
Publications on Grief Care
- A literature review of grief care in Japan: community-based support for older adults after loss.
Ono M, Ito K. Journal of Japan Society for End-of-Life Care
Publications on Psychological Care for Family Caregivers
- Daily communication classification of families with people living with dementia: a qualitative study
Nakayama R, Wakui T, Sekino A, Okubo S, Awata S. Journal of Japanese Society for Dementia Care, 23(2):340-53, 2024
