Dementia

The Dementia Action Plan 2020 to 2025, released in May, has as one of its four objectives “building accepting and understanding communities” to improve the wellbeing of people living with the disease. “Stigma and a lack of awareness, poor understanding and barriers to inclusion are among the most devastating things …

The decision by the Ombudsman, Peter Boshier, to visit dementia units to “shine a light” on conditions there during the COVID-19 lockdown also means he will bring a fresh perspective to an aged care sector that can only benefit from his independent eyes. While some in the sector may bridle …

Achieving greater awareness and understanding of dementia has been a priority of Dementia and Alzheimer’s associations in New Zealand and worldwide. There has been an assumption that greater understanding and awareness are key to tackling the stigma surrounding the disease. The thinking has been broadened beyond awareness under the banner …

Despite much research into the causes of dementia, many unanswered questions remain. The current evidence demonstrates that multiple factors, including age, genes, environment and lifestyle factors, contribute to whether a person develops dementia. However, recent research points to the possibility that up to half of the total dementia burden in …

By 2050 the number of New Zealanders with dementia will be able to fill Wellington Stadium five times. It’s a statistic that makes dementia one of New Zealand’s most pressing health challenges. While the impact of dementia on our society as a whole may be well known, many Kiwis don’t …

In July, Dr Matthew Croucher, a psychiatrist of old age, made himself available to give an overview of dementia and answer questions from the audience. Full, not only of knowledge, but also insight and empathy, the session was of immense value to those who came. It covered an over view …

Creating a “community of care” outside hospital in the wider population could help revolutionize how we look after and care for those with mental health issues and dementia. South Korea has declared a “war on dementia” encompassing ideas around a “community of care”, which includes day dementia-care and prevention clinics, …

A recent study from researchers at England’s University of Cambridge has found that virtual reality (VR) can identify symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease more accurately than ‘gold standard’ cognitive testing. In 2014, researchers discovered what is known as our brain’s “internal satnav” (the entorhinal cortex), one of the first regions to be damaged …

by Wendy Mawson (Dementia Key Worker) Sufferer, victim, demented, senile, patient – these are terms that have been used to describe and define someone living with dementia, it is important to highlight these terms are commonly used by people around the person and not the person themselves. This could include …

At just 57 years old, Amrita Francis’ world turned upside down, with an early-onset Alzheimer’s diagnosis that within five years would heavily affect her memory and ability to work. Now at 62 years old, ex-music teacher Amrita still remembers how to play classical piano, and she still enjoys her family. …