Dementia diagnosis matters this September for World Alzheimers Month

A diagnosis can make a world of difference to people living with dementia mate wareware and their whānau by providing clarity and opening doors for support.

September is World Alzheimers Month to help raise awareness of Alzheimers and dementia mate wareware around the world. The theme this year is #DementiaDiagnosisMatters.

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

“A diagnosis can help answer some of the questions about what you or your whānau are experiencing and lets you access the community support that’s available,” says Alzheimers NZ Board Member Clare Hynd.

“The earlier you know, the more you can do.”

The benefits of an early diagnosis include some peace of mind in knowing what is going on, the opportunity to find out more about the condition, access to services and support and the ability to plan for the future.

“If you or someone you know does receive a diagnosis there is lots of support available,” says Clare.

She encourages people to get involved with events around the country to help raise awareness and reduce the stigma of the condition.

Find out more about getting a diagnosis on the Alzheimers NZ website, and how you can get involved with #WorldAlzMonth below.

What’s on?

To kick off the month, our pre-election political panel will ask political parties what their plans are to tackle the dementia challenge and we do hope you can join us!

Keep an eye out for our social media videos where our Lived Experience Advisory Group and friends challenge you to make a difference for people living with dementia mate wareware and their whānau.

We’ll launch the World Alzheimers Report 2026 and release a podcast featuring Dr Matthew Croucher on the importance of diagnosis.

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.

And to end the month, our conference will bring together leading voices from across the sector to share ideas, spark conversations, and help shape a better future for people and their whānau living with dementia mate wareware – we’d love to see you there.

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

Use the hashtag #DementiaDiagnosisMatter and #WorldAlzMonth on your social media posts to help spread the word.

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 Wairarapa will be fundraising at shops and supermarkets around the region during World Alzheimers Month
• Alzheimers Eastern Bay of Plenty – They’ll be at the Meet the Locals community expo in Whakatane on Saturday 5 September.
• Alzheimers Eastern Bay of Plenty – Hosting a movie fundraiser playing ‘June again’ on Monday 14 September at 2pm.
• Alzheimers Eastern Bay of Plenty – They’ll be at the Eastern Bay Community Foundation (EBCF) expo on Friday 18 September featuring Dr Lucy Hone on grief.
• Alzheimers Whanganui – Memory Walk, Saturday 19 September from 10.30am at Whanganui River Markets. Register online.
• Alzheimers Taranaki – Memory Walk on Sunday 20 Septembeter at East End Reserve at 10am. There is a $10 registration fee and everybody receives a goodie bag.
• Alzheimers Eastern Bay of Plenty – Memory Walk on Sunday 20 September at 10.30am. Meet outside the Whakatāne Library and stroll together along the beautiful Warren Cole Walkway. There will be raffles and a BBQ.