Dementia

Think of your brain as `Headquarters’ – the control room where all the core functions for your body and mind come from. It doesn’t get a holiday or take time out, it’s always “on”, working 24/7, taking care of your thoughts, breathing, movement and senses even while you’re asleep.

Suzy McPhail tells us how caring for her mother with Alzheimer's inspired her to start The Restore Lecture series.

The release of the latest Where from Here He Ara Whakamua handbook – which covers the Upper South Island – marks more than 30 years of what is commonly referred to as the “older person’s bible.”

As health and wellbeing month continues on the Eldernet Gazette, we showcase the revolutionary fitness and rehab equipment developed by HUR, which could have a huge impact on the aged-care sector in New Zealand.

Dementia affects almost all of us. Nearly four out of five Kiwi families have to support or know someone who develops dementia.

New Zealand has switched from one dementia screening test to another, from the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA©) to the Mini-Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (Mini-ACE). The new cognitive screening test evaluates four main areas – orientation, memory, language and visuospatial function. It is now the recommended screening tool for use by primary …

Chef Terence Austin is on a mission – to ensure those with the eating condition dysphagia get presented with meals that look, smell and taste just as good as those served to people without the condition. People with dysphagia have difficulty swallowing liquids and solids. It’s a growing problem among …

Hayley Guglietta helped look after her mum, Patricia Norris, at home during the early stages of dementia. She then went through the process of getting long-term care for Patricia. Hayley now volunteers for Dementia Canterbury. Here, Hayley shares some of the lessons she has learned. You and your dad spent …

Monday September 21 is World Alzheimers Day, an opportunity to reflect on a condition that 170,000 Kiwis are expected to be living with by 2050. ‘Wandering’ is identified as a symptom of dementia but why don’t we just call it ‘walking’? Caroline Egan of HelloCare explores why the words we …

The Chief Ombudsman says his independent inspections of privately run aged care facilities offer some valuable lessons as the sector enters another ‘lockdown’. Peter Boshier released a report on August 18 into his inspection of six facilities providing secure dementia and psychogeriatric care, during COVID-19 Alert Levels 3 and 4 in …