Looking ahead to 2030: A future where we’re heard, valued and supported
Chief Executive Catherine Hall shares Alzheimers NZ’s new strategy which outlines the vision for the future
When we think about the future for people living with dementia mate wareware in Aotearoa New Zealand, what do we see? And how are we going to get there?
We know people living with dementia mate wareware have diverse lives and being able to live independently and have control over their lives is vitally important. They can live meaningful lives provided they have equitable access to flexible, tailored and accessible services.
With that in mind, we’re pleased to share the new Alzheimers NZ Strategy 2025 – 2030.
It’s been developed with input from people living with dementia mate wareware, together with a wide range of other voices from across our sector, including significant input from member organisations which deliver community-based services.
Our new strategy sets out an ambitious vision for people living with dementia mate wareware in Aotearoa New Zealand – that they “are heard, valued and supported”.
To achieve our vision over the next five years, the voice of people living with dementia mate wareware will shape our decisions and influence our work. We will engage across our sector and work with and support our Members to improve access to community-based support.
We also know that more than 70,000 New Zealanders are living with dementia mate wareware today, rising to around 170,000 by 2050. Around 30,000 are missing out on essential community-based services, dementia continues to place a significant burden on Aotearoa New Zealand’s health system, and it’s a tough environment for charitable services like ours.
So securing government commitment to implement the Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan and fair funding of local services are at the centre of our focus. We look forward to engaging with the new Minister of Health, Hon Simeon Brown, and Associate Minister of Health, Hon Casey Costello, this year on the urgency of Government starting to tackle this big and growing health challenge.
It’s not all doom and gloom though, and there’s a positive research environment suggesting hope for the future in both prevention and treatment options.
The implementation of the Action Plan in Aotearoa New Zealand will go a long way towards people living with dementia mate wareware being heard, valued and supported.
And we’ll continue to do everything we can to make sure that happens!