Challenge the stigma this World Alzheimers Month

Are you sure you actually have dementia? Our Lived Experience Advisory Group will answer this and some of the other common questions they get on social media as part of World Alzheimers Month in September.

We’re looking to shift public perceptions of dementia mate wareware by encouraging open conversations and challenging the stigma under the theme of ‘Ask about dementia’. Simply asking about dementia mate wareware can help tackle the stigma of a diagnosis.

Almost 83,000 Kiwis are living with dementia mate wareware in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2025  – and this will only increase!

Chief Executive Catherine Hall says the stigma around a diagnosis can stop people and their whānau getting the help and support they need.

“We want to make Aotearoa New Zealand more supportive, inclusive and understanding place for people living with dementia mate wareware. We can all play our part by learning about dementia mate wareware to help tackle some of the stigma surrounding a diagnosis.

“Small actions – like asking a question and learning more – can make a world of difference to people and their whānau living with dementia mate wareware. To help, we’ll answer some of the most common questions we get on social media during World Alzheimers Month!”

Find out more about dementia mate wareware this World Alzheimers Month – you may be surprised at what you can learn.

What’s on?

There are lots of different ways you can get involved with World Alzheimers Month this year.

Join the Alzheimers NZ Summit 2025 in Auckland and online on 23 and 24 September to inspire, inform and connect! Registrations are now open and we’ll see you there.

Keep an eye (and ear) out for our social media videos where our Lived Experience Advisory Group and clinical advisor answer some of the common questions around dementia mate wareware. We’ll also run a series of radio advertisements nationally encouraging people to ask about dementia.

We will launch the World Alzheimers Report 2025 on dementia rehabilitation and release a podcast featuring out local services which outlines the importance of local services.

Our Dementia Learning Centre has an exciting Gameplay launch in the works so organisations can continue with their dementia care education.

You can fundraise locally by signing up for Move for Dementia – challenge your friends and whānau to get involved too! If you’ve got 20 minutes, you can take our online e-learning module to become a Dementia Friend and learn about simple ways to help.

Our local services run events in their communities and invite you to get involved.

And don’t forget to ask about dementia!  Use the hashtag #AskAboutDementia on your social media posts so we can see what you’re sharing.

Reach out to your local Alzheimers or dementia organisation if you or anybody you know needs more support.

Local events

Check out what local Alzheimers organisations around the country have planned for you during World Alzheimers Month.

• Alzheimers Gisborne/Tairāwhiti – Spud in a bucket, from 22 August
• Alzheimers Southland – Annual Memory Walk, Queens Park, Invercargill, Sunday 21 September from 12pm
• Alzheimers Southland – Walk for Wellbeing, every Wednesday in September, from Queens Park Invercargill at 11am
• Alzheimers Whanganui – Open Day, Thursday 4 September, from 11am, at Alzheimers Whanganui
• Alzheimers Northland – Memory Walk, Sunday 14 September, 8am, Town Centre
• Alzheimers Whanganui – Memory Walk, Saturday 20 September, Whanganui River, 10.30am
• Alzheimers Whanganui – Brain Health Seminar, Thursday 25 September, David Theatre, Whanganui, 5pm
• Alzheimers Gisborne/Tairāwhiti – Staying healthy in the face of dementia presentation, Thursday 25 September, 10am to 12pm, Sherwood Club Lounge