The Dementia Declaration

The Dementia Declaration is the result of people affected by dementia mate wareware getting together and identifying what we need to live well. It has been developed by people living with dementia mate wareware on Alzheimers NZ’s Advisory Group.

The Dementia Declaration

“We ALL want to be seen, valued, appreciated and loved for who we are.”

As New Zealanders living with dementia, we are citizens whose lives matter. We have the same rights, privileges and obligations as everyone else. Our Declaration sets out what we need to live well.

We live our best possible lives when:

• We have control over our lives; we have support to make decisions that are important to us.
• We have consistent quality support, care and information which is timely and appropriate to us; it is provided with kindness by compassionate people who have the right skills and knowledge, our interests as a focus, and with whom we are comfortable.
• A circle of support protects our wellbeing, allowing us to maintain strong mutual relationships with our families, whānau, friends, colleagues, and those who are important to us.
• We live in knowledgeable communities that include, accept and understand us.
• We continue to be actively engaged in roles and activities which are meaningful and important to us.
• We have the things we need to live well such as housing, privacy, an adequate standard of living, and ways of getting where we need to go.
• We are loved; our presence matters.

“I am still me.”