20 May 2011

The crisis in dementia care is in the community, and that is where an urgent injection of money is most needed.

That’s the opinion of Bonnie Robinson general manager of Alzheimers Auckland, a charity that offers free services to all people in Auckland affected by dementia.

“If we don’t support people in the community we will have a crisis in our A & E departments and admissions, there will be more people asking earlier for entry into day care and respite care,” Ms Robinson says.
Ms Robinson says yesterday’s budget announcement that $44m will be channeled into more hospital beds for people with dementia and respite relief for carers is good news . However, it is community care and support that will have the biggest impact on lowering the need for both of these services.

“Alzheimers Auckland’s interventions allow 30% of people to access more care from families than before we become involved. Sixty to 70% of people with dementia at any one time are living in the community at home or being cared for by a family member. The crisis of growing dementia numbers is now and it is in the community.”
“It’s great that dementia has been recognised as a growing issue for New Zealand; the money for dementia beds and respite care is needed. We do hope, however, that some of it will find its way to community based services,” Ms Robinson says.

“Alzheimers Auckland helps to keep people with dementia at home safer and healthier, by supporting the family carers in this very difficult role. We hope DHBs are able to see the importance of the full continuum of care and assist us to expand our services to meet the growing demand.”

Alzheimers Auckland will be working with local DHBs and the Ministry of Health to secure more funding for people with dementia living in the community.

For more about dementia and the work of Alzheimers Auckland, see attached sheet.

ENDS

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