Stronger together: Improving home-based dementia support across Aotearoa

For many whānau, a diagnosis of dementia (mate wareware) brings not just shock or sadness, but the deeper question of what comes next. Families often find themselves asking: Who do we turn to when things change? Who can help us make sense of this without feeling alone?

“People affected by dementia consistently tell us that the hardest part isn’t the care itself, it’s knowing how to navigate what’s available,” says Cathy Cooney, Chief Executive of Dementia New Zealand.

Across Aotearoa, dementia affects tens of thousands of people and their whānau, touching lives in personal and profound ways. Getting the right support early can make all the difference in helping people live well for as long as possible at home. When support is easier to find, whānau spend less time figuring out systems and more time focusing on what matters most to the person they care for.

To help meet these needs, Dementia New Zealand and New Zealand Health Group, through Geneva Healthcare, are working alongside others in the health and community sector to strengthen the connections between trusted national dementia support and frontline in-home care. This collaboration is about making support not only more accessible, but more reassuring and genuinely person-centred.

There are two main areas that we’re focusing on with this new partnership:

• Stronger navigation
  We’re improving how care teams and local dementia support groups work together so whānau can quickly find the right help and support without stress or unnecessary delays.
• Better education and training
  We’re drawing on trusted learning resources used across the sector so carers, care partners and whānau feel more informed and confident when they make decisions.

“As a national provider, we want our workforce to feel equipped and confident in supporting people living with dementia every day,” adds Mike Peters, Chief Executive of New Zealand Health Group.

As more people across Aotearoa are affected by dementia, working together across the sector will matter even more. By sharing our knowledge and approaches, we can make care easier to navigate, more consistent and more focused on what matters most to people and their whānau.

To learn more about Dementia services, click here