Criticism over dementia support

Fed up with perceived inaction, the head of Alzheimers NZ is calling on the Government to do more to support the increasing number of Kiwis with dementia.

Following World Alzheimer’s Day yesterday and the release of a new global report on the condition, chief executive Catherine Hall wants the nation’s ‘‘woefully inadequate’’ services improved.

‘‘We are soon going to have a major problem on our hands unless [the] Government takes action now to make sure people living with dementia can access appropriate and consistent levels of support to help them live well.

‘‘This Government, like the last one, is dropping the ball on dementia care.’’

In 2012, $2.5 million a year was given to district health boards (DHBs) to develop dementia care pathways to better support people with dementia, and maximise their independence and wellbeing. The Ministry of Health also led a national project in partnership with DHBs, government agencies, people with dementia, and others to create a national framework to guide the development of these pathways.

That solution – the New Zealand Framework For Dementia Care – was prepared in 2013 but is yet to be fully implemented.

‘‘[It] provides a simple pathway to help tackle dementia and to actively and properly support New Zealanders living with dementia. Investing in [it] now will significantly reduce the long-run costs of doing nothing,’’ Hall said.

‘‘For government to ignore dementia as a major health priority is ill-advised at best and irresponsible at worst.’’

Hawke’s Bay man Alister Robertson, who became an active dementia advocate after his diagnosis, said it was disheartening that so little had been achieved over the past five years. He had received a lot of help through informal groups made up of others with dementia but felt overwhelmed in the first 12 months without formal support.

Dementia affects about 1 in 20 people over the age of 65, and 1 in 5 over the age of 80.

‘‘This Government, like the last one, is dropping the ball on dementia care.’’ Alzheimers NZ chief executive Catherine Hall