Families and experts demand better dementia care as patient numbers are projected to double

The number of people with dementia in the country is projected to almost double over the next 25 years to reach 170,000.

Personal Experiences

Arrowtown resident Jendi Paterson shared her experience caring for her mother Shirley, who was diagnosed with dementia two years ago. While community support was easily accessible in the early stages, Paterson said help withdrew as the condition progressed due to a lack of funding. Shirley is now in care in Lake Hayes. Paterson noted that her father faced great difficulty acting as the sole carer, sometimes trying to coordinate about six different people for her mother's care in a rural area.

Conference Calls

Alister Robertson, the vice chair of the Alzheimers NZ board who was diagnosed with dementia 12 years ago at age 60, spoke at an Alzheimers NZ conference this week. Robertson stated that patients must remain at the centre of decisions because they understand their own needs best. He urged political parties to work together so a firm plan remains in place regardless of government changes, noting that patients are currently low on the priority list.

Recommendations

David Cunliffe chaired the Aged Care Ministerial Advisory Group, which released a report last month recommending more support and easier access for dementia patients and their families. Cunliffe stated that he wants all 40 recommendations of the report carried out, adding that all parties in Parliament and Opportunity were consulted and show broad support for the direction of travel.

Context

Dementia is a progressive health condition that impacts memory, communication, and daily functioning, often requiring increasing levels of professional and family support over time. Health systems worldwide face mounting pressure as aging populations lead to a growing number of individuals diagnosed with cognitive conditions.