Latest News
There is always so much happening at Alzheimers Otago. On this page, we try to keep you up to date with all the latest news
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Listen up, Ministers! Long-term policy is non-negotiable
Increasing pressure from numerous stakeholders to create long-term policy for the ageing population, adds weight to Alzheimers NZ’s call for a dementia friendly Aotearoa New Zealand.
There has been a myriad of coverage recently urging Government to consider how to best support the ageing population.
Alzheimers NZ Chief Executive Catherine Hall says this is not a problem for the future – it’s here today and will only becoming increasingly challenging.
Global research shows stigma around dementia leaves families isolated
Loneliness and isolation are some of the major impacts a dementia diagnosis can have on families around the world, new research shows.
Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) has released the World Alzheimer Report 2024 to mark World Alzheimer’s Month this September. The report explores the findings of an international survey on global attitudes to dementia – building on the original report from 2019.
The report highlights how the impact of stigma has worsened. It shows 30 per cent of people with dementia actively avoid social situations and almost 50 per cent of care partners stop accepting invitations from friends and family.
Stigma is the attitudes and beliefs people hold around dementia, while the resulting discrimination can be seen in how people are treated and whether the system supports them.
Blog – National spotlight makes lived experience harder for Government to ignore
Recent films, television and other media are only amplifying the need for Government to listen to the lived experience of people with dementia mate wareware.
Alzheimers NZ Chief Executive Catherine Hall says the voice of people and their whānau living with dementia mate wareware is often overlooked by Government.
“People living with dementia mate wareware are often ignored and invisible to the system – the voice isn’t as loud as others, often because it’s a tough life and people are tired and stressed just surviving every day.
“It’s also hard to stand up as someone with dementia mate wareware when you know others will treat you differently, underestimate what you are capable of, ignore your views, and assume you are not able to speak for yourself or others.”
Dementia Learning Centre Director Caroline Bartle explores why empathy is an important skill for any practitioner.
As a learning and development professional with decades of experience, I’ve frequently encountered scepticism about whether empathy can be taught. The good news? Research now confirms that empathy is indeed a skill we can develop. But why should we bother?
Empathy goes beyond simply connecting with others. It allows us to see the person, not just their condition or circumstances. This person-focused approach leads to better assessments, fewer errors and tackles stigma head on.
Podcasts – Demystifying dementia
Australian aged-care specialist and educator Rose Capp joins Principal Advisor Services and Standards Lyneta Russell to bust some of the myths around dementia mate wareware.
Rose has recently released her new book which explores some of the common myths around dementia mate wareware. She teaches in ageing studies and dementia mate wareware care at Flinders University and is a policy advisor for Dementia Australia.
Tackling stigma around dementia
Alzheimers Disease International (ADI) Deputy CEO and Director of Policy, Communications and Publications Chris Lynch joins Alzheimers New Zealand Chief Executive Catherine Hall to talk about tackling stigma this World Alzheimers Month.
ADI will release the 2024 World Alzheimer Report on stigma on the eve of World Alzheimers Day, following a worldwide survey into global attitudes to dementia mate wareware. This report is an update of the 2019 version to see how attitudes have changed five years on.
Alzheimers Otago AGM 2024
Tuesday 22 October 12 noon – 1 pm
Burns House Ground Floor
10 George Street
Dunedin
Dementia Talks – ‘Safety at Home’
Dementia New Zealand presents ‘Safety at Home’.
This Masterclass is for care partners and families of people with dementia, who are still living at home, either with partners/family or by themselves. Please Click here Safety At Home | Dementia NZ to register.
All the things to consider enabling the person with dementia to remain safe at home, and what may need to be changed to ensure that the person with dementia can remain living independently for as long as possible while providing the support needed to make that happen.
This Masterclass will be recorded and sent to those who register post-event. Click here Safety At Home | Dementia NZ to register. Once you’ve purchased your ticket, you’ll receive more information about this Masterclass via email. If you cannot attend the live session, a recording of the presentation will be emailed to you in the week following the Masterclass.
If you have any questions, please reach out to one of our team by email at events@dementia.nz.
Friday 23rd August 2024
10am – 12pm midday
Online via Zoom – Click here Safety At Home | Dementia NZ to register.
Cost for Carers/Whanau – $20
Cost for Healthcare Professionals – $50 (Includes Certificate of Attendance)
Dementia NZ are running two FREE online series of Westpac Financial Wellbeing Workshops
Dementia NZ are running two FREE online series of Westpac Financial Wellbeing Workshops, tailored for people with dementia mate wareware, their carers,
and their whānau. These free interactive workshops are online via Microsoft teams. If you are unable to attend the live session, a recording of the live event will be emailed to you.
Workshop One is Legal and Finance Guide – Tuesday 27th August 10am – 11:30am This workshop discusses what you need to know to navigate the legal processes for making a will and appointing an enduring power of attorney for yourself or family members, and tips for supporting people with dementia with money management and decision making.
Click here to register for this free workshop
Legal And Financial Guidance | Dementia NZ
Workshop Two is Carer Support, Rights, Protection and Advocacy – Tuesday 29th August 10am – 11:30am. This workshop talks about the rights and support for carers and people with disabilities, as well as how to protect yourself and your whānau from exploitation, abuse, and coercion. You will explore the options and benefits of individualised funding, needs assessment, and service coordination, and the legal and human rights frameworks that safeguard people’s dignity and autonomy.
Click here to register for this free workshop
Carer Support, Rights, Protection And Advocacy | Dementia NZ
Alzheimerz NZ Conference.
We’re excited to let you know our fourth and final Repositioning Dementia event will be held in September to mark World Alzheimers Month! We’re delighted Associate Minister of Health Hon Casey Costello will open our fourth and final Repositioning Dementia: What’s next? The event is in September in Wellington and online – during World Alzheimers Month. Register today if you haven’t already, and we’ll see you there!
The final event will focus on our three kaupapa of the Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan, research and the lived experience of dementia mate wareware.
Date: Tuesday 24 September 2024
Time: 8.45am to 7pm (including a networking event from 5pm)
Venue: Tiakiwai Conference Centre (part of the National Library of New Zealand), Corner Molesworth and Aitken Streets, Thorndon, Wellington and online
Alzheimers NZ – Repositioning Dementia: What’s next? (swoogo.com)
Alzheimers New Zealand needs your voice!
The Alzheimers New Zealand Dementia Friendly programmes have been designed to create inclusive, kinder, and more supportive communities for people living with dementia mate wareware. We are currently taking a look at these programmes to see what we are doing well and where we could improve.
Alzheimers New Zealand needs your voice!
Help shape the future of education in Aotearoa New Zealand
Have your say on how the Dementia Learning Centre can best support our community with learning across the country. We want to draw from innovative approaches to learning to effectively respond to the emergent and diverse needs of our community. We hope you can join us for an online session!
Minds Together Programme Information
What is Minds Together?
Minds Together is a new community collaboration between the Social Impact Studio and Alzheimers Otago. Minds Together seeks to promote social wellbeing, enhance understanding of dementia, and provide a unique campus-based learning experience for both people with a dementia mate wareware diagnosis and university students.
What does it involve?
The programme partners individuals, with early stage dementia mate wareware, with university student volunteers across seven weekly sessions hosted by various university departments. Example departments include Performing Arts, Hocken archives, Dental School, and Physical Education.
Benefits
● Stimulating learning opportunities for person with dementia mate wareware
● Enhanced social interaction
● Social inclusion through intergenerational connection and understanding
● Increased awareness and understanding of dementia mate wareware
When does it take place?
The sessions take place on Thursdays between 10am and 12pm, with members being dropped off at 9.50am and picked up no later than 12.00pm. Sessions will usually begin with morning tea before an activity.
For more details and to enrol, please contact Antoinette McLean, 03 471 6154 or manager@alzheimersotago.org.nz
Release of Sapere report on current state of aged care
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora received a report from Sapere Research Group Limited in January this year, which outlines the current state of New Zealand’s aged residential care (ARC) and home and community support services (HCSS).
You can access and share the report through our website here.
As you may know, this report is the first main output of Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora review of funding and service models for aged care services, which Health NZ began in July last year, and includes feedback from key stakeholders.
As expected, the Sapere report highlights some major challenges facing older people, whānau and their communities as well as providers, workers, needs assessors and funders, including:
ARC and HCSS are under-funded.The funding models used to distribute funding to the sector are no longer fit for purpose.
There are material ethnic inequities in accessing aged care services.
The aged care sector continues to face significant workforce pressures.
Issues with aged care are exacerbated in regional and rural New Zealand.