�@ Study to make up a rich society so that we can enjoy aging

"The study group to make up a rich society so that we can enjoy aging" has been organized. At present, there are 16 members in this group. The group is trying to build up a independent management by collecting 2000 yen per month from the members. The meetings take place every 2nd and 4th Saturday every month, from 9 am to noon. Please do not be put off this by thinking, "Wow. It sounds very serious." We always welcome anyone to join in our meetings.

Right now, various "aging" problems appear in the newspapers and on TV everyday. It is in part due to the�@awareness of those problems that the Sendai Citizens' Network for Seniors was established on August 12, 1995.

Many people find it difficult to express their concerns or talk with others about these problems. Our study group, which has just recently started and is the youngest group in SCNS, aims to tackle these concerns.

Our first goal is to freely exchange any information about problems seniors may have. We would like to face those aging problems as our own instead of just reacting to a given situation and then acting on it. We want to deal with any concerns seniors have directly and be there at any time to prevent further problems in the future.

The themes, "Senior Center"and "Worthwhile Living" have come up through the meetings. "The Japan - U.S. Forum on the Japanese model Senior Center" was hosted by SCNS in the venue of JAPAN EXPO IN MIYAGI '97 on August 31, 1997. We've been discussing the "Senior center" as our own issue.

Another theme, "Worthwhile Living" is also very hard to talk about, but we would like to continue discussing it freely through relaxed and open dialogue.