Fulfilling a 97-year-old’s dream to climb Mt. Fuji
At the Nakamura Park branch of Sompo no Ie, a nursing care home we operate, 97-year-old resident Shoji Ogawa had one passionate wish. “I want to climb Mt. Fuji,” he says. To make this dream a reality, the entire facility came together to create a personalized plan.
The initiative was sparked by a staff member’s heartfelt motivation to help Mr. Ogawa regain confidence and a sense of accomplishment through the mountain climbing experience.
Overcoming obstacles to make a dream come true
Attempting Mt. Fuji at age 97 presented many challenges: physical strain from long travel, adjusting to local conditions, coordinating with family, and decreased stamina from lower food intake.
To overcome these, a detailed plan was drawn up.
- Using a reclining wheelchair for comfortable travel
- Strength training with wheelchair footrests
- Adjustments to make the journey by car more comfortable
- Thorough preparation, including practice climbs before the actual challenge
With the whole facility cheering him on, Mr. Ogawa reached the fifth station of Mt. Fuji. Amid the misty, ethereal scenery, he gazed intently at the inscriptions on the stone monument and shed tears of joy.
I’m so glad I made it. Thank you, thank you! I’ll come back on a clear day and try again. I’ll do it once more!
Shoji Ogawa
Precious time with family beneath the flowers
At Sompo no Ie’s S Kyoto Higashimuko branch, Takashi Horibata wished to enjoy hanami with his family. Sompo Care Kyoto Yamashiro’s Private Services helped bring to life Mr. Horibata’s vision of himself immersed again in the Japanese tradition of enjoying cherry blossoms.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic, going out had generally become difficult for Mr. Horibata. To ensure he could enjoy the day with peace of mind, staff took extra care in preparation.
- Visiting and telling Mr. Horibata “Let’s go see the cherry blossoms” to motivate him
- Building stamina through regular rehab and daily care
- Monitoring health closely in the days leading up to the hanami
At last, the day arrived and Mr. Horibata spent a peaceful day with family and staff under a canopy of cherry blossoms in full bloom.
Paying a visit to the family grave too
In addition to viewing the blossoms, Mr. Horibata was able to visit his family grave for the first time in years. Having served for many years as a school principal, he was awarded the Order of Merit for Education in 2019. True to Japanese tradition, he reported this honor to his ancestors at the grave. Although normally on oxygen therapy, arrangements were made to remove his oxygen briefly during photographs, with careful consideration for his wellbeing.
I feel so blessed and my nurse came along to help. I was able to show my ancestors the medal I received from the Emperor. I’m overwhelmed with gratitude.
Takashi Horibata
Supporting the lives people desire
At Sompo Care, we believe age should never mean giving up on your dreams. Sompo Care’s Private Services go beyond traditional care. They help realize individual wishes and let each person lead the life they desire.
