Dementia epidemic looms

ALZHEIMERS NZ is calling on the government to take action as dementia rates rise across the country, including in Horowhenua.

A dementia "epidemic" is looming in New Zealand as the number of Kiwis living with the condition will reach 150,000 by 2050 according to Alzheimers NZ.

The organisation's Manawatu arm said the Horowhenua region is no exception, with significant growth in dementia rates over the last four years, and an increasing "trend rate" of 12 per cent.

Alzheimers NZ chief executive Catherine Hall said the Government needs to prepare now. Despite agreement across both government and non-government agencies about the direction of dementia care, she said there had been very little movement over the last few years.

She said immediately implementing proposals in the 2013 New Zealand Framework for Dementia Care, which the government developed, would lead to more cost-effective care.

"The blueprint for dealing with this situation already exists - what is needed from the government is the commitment and funding to implement it."

Alzheimers Manawatu manager Donna Hedley agreed, saying resources were declining, while dementia rates were on the rise.

After funding cuts last year, she said the organisation had to work a lot harder to try and achieve their goals.

"Obviously with limited resources, our challenge is how to continue to meet demand," she said.

"Grant figures are dropping and we've had some funding decreases from the DHB last year."

Hall said that, conversely, providing better support to people with dementia early will actually result in significant savings.

Research commissioned by Alzheimers NZ in 2008 found that delaying entry to residential care by just three months would have resulted in $32 million of savings that year.

"These costs are not just carried by the public health system, but also in productivity losses for carers who may have to give up or reduce paid employment to look after their partner," Hall said.

Hedley said initiatives in Horowhenua, including a dementia day-respite programme in Levin's Masonic Hall, had seen increasing numbers of clients.

There was also a dementia adviser, who had become a valuable resource for affected people and their families.

Despite this, she said there may be people in the community who suspect the early symptoms of dementia in themselves, or in a loved one, and who may not know how to reach out for support.

"If they are concerned, they can always get information from us, and it can be anonymous," she said.

"In Levin there are significant challenges already. Access to local GPs has been a challenge [for some time] and I think is generalised knowledge."

She said family members of people with dementia symptoms should remember that the GP may be unaware, as people can present quite normally in appointments.

If you need support or advice about anything to do with dementia or Alzheimers, contact Alzheimers Manawatu on 06 357 9539, or the Alzheimers NZ national organisation on 04 387 8264.

¦ Helpful advice, including the 10 early warning signs of possible dementia, can be found at www.alzheimers.org.nz or contact your GP.