What they say

ACT New Zealand: ACT’s starting point is always that dementia care should be timely and measured by outcomes. ACT in principle, supports ensuring the idea that our healthcare system needs to do better in early diagnosis and strengthen community support. Funding should be tied to services and providers that work for patients.

The Green Party: Yes. The Green Party recognises that people living with dementia mate wareware is set to rise, with great impacts on those with dementia, and whānau who care for them. As part of our manifesto policies for Seniors, the Green Party have committed to launch a dedicated long-term strategy for the needs of an ageing population which encompasses the holistic wellbeing of kaumātua, elder abuse prevention, ensuring income is equitably accessed and sufficient to live comfortably, and the establishment of a state-owned, not-for-profit retirement village scheme. Any action plan is only as good as its implementation.

ACT New Zealand: ACT believes that community services provide a very valuable service for dementia patients. ACT generally believes that funding is better directed to such services where there are good outcomes, rather than centralised systems which can often leave out the most vulnerable.

The Green Party: Access to community dementia services should be equitable for all – and not dependent on how much you earn, how much you’ve saved, or where you’re from. The Green Party are committed to providing publicly funded services for people with dementia, with high quality of care, and good pay and working conditions for those caring for people living with dementia. Additionally, we need to see mechanisms in place with the system that focus on accountability, commissioning, and transparency.

ACT New Zealand: ACT supports practical prevention and early intervention through primary care and community services. It is clear that early intervention can have a massive effect on health outcomes.  This could include things like earlier cognitive assessment.

The Green Party: The Green Party are committed to investing more in the prevention of ill health, including dementia. This means warm, dry housing, adequate incomes, a transport system that supports active travel and reduced air pollution, and reducing advertising of alcohol, including in sports. We support funding the community organisations on the ground who support good health, by removing restrictive contracts and funding these providers to give the wrap-around support that enable higher trust in these healthcare providers, and allow them to do more to keep people well.

ACT New Zealand: ACT recognises the role of unpaid carers in supporting people with dementia. ACT would focus on practical support, including simpler access to respite, clearer information, carer education, and better coordination with health services. Any expansion would need to be funded transparently and measured against carer wellbeing and reduced crisis admissions.

The Green Party: The Green Party recognise that a lot of work to support seniors goes unpaid and unrecognised. The Green Party would improve Work and Income to be a high-trust model with adequate levels of income to support people having dignity, and improve the Carer Support subsidy, centring the voice of carers as part of the process.

ACT New Zealand: ACT would consider the Advisory Group’s recommendations when they are released.

The Green Party: The Green Party are committed to a long-term strategy for the needs of an ageing population with sustainable funding. We have the resources we need to be able to take care of those living with dementia. All it takes is a small tax on the super-rich to unlock the resources we all need to thrive, including taking proper care of our seniors and ensuring they and their whānau do not suffer needlessly due to self-imposed fiscal rules.