Dementia Friends
Learn more about dementia and simple ways to help.
“People with dementia live in the moment. Being a Dementia Friend doesn’t mean giving up your life. Even the smallest of actions can make a big difference.”
Bronwyn’s story
Read Bronwyn's story*Please note, we’re currently experiencing technical difficulties that mean you may receive a message stating that your certificate cannot be produced after completing the module. However, if you complete the module and email us at dementiafriendlyNZ@alzheimers.org.nz saying that you have done so, we will send you a certificate as soon as we can. We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience while we straighten this little bug out.*
By becoming a Dementia Friend you are joining a growing community of Kiwis helping to make NZ a kinder, more supportive, inclusive and understanding place for people living with dementia. It only takes 20 minutes.
What does a Dementia Friend do?
A Dementia Friend learns about dementia and simple ways to help. Being a Dementia Friend doesn’t have to take lots of your time – helping can be as simple as being kind and helpful to people during your day, thinking about how you communicate or dropping round for a cuppa and a chat with someone living with dementia. Simple, small actions really do help!
“If I saw someone wearing a Dementia Friends badge or a wristband I would feel more comfortable to approach them.”
A bigger action might be giving up a couple of hours a week to help someone you know with dementia, making a donation or volunteering for your local organisation.
Dementia Friends tell us:
“I believe in kindness and I think kindness is a language everyone speaks, whether they have dementia or not.”
“I started my Dementia Friends action by engaging my elderly neighbour and offering to help her with gardening as well as continuing bringing in her mail for her.”
“We had a team member who was a bit cautious about knowing when to help because he had heard that people with dementia can become combative or angry, which started a conversation around anger generally being a by product of fear. This lead to different discussions about how we could use our words, tone of voice and body language to show we are safe or to seek a nurses assistance, if required.”
I'm worried and want help
If you have dementia or are the carer or family/whānau of someone with dementia you can call 0800 004 001 or contact your local organisation for help and support. If you are worried that you or someone you know is showing signs of dementia, the best place to start is by talking to your GP/family doctor or practice nurse.
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