Campaign with us
Aotearoa New Zealand faces another looming health problem. Government knows about it but has been extremely slow to act.
This health problem centres on the rapidly growing number of dementia mate wareware cases, and the inadequate Government funding for the dementia mate wareware sector over many years.
Demand for dementia mate wareware care is increasing but there are too many people with this health condition who cannot get the help they need. Four in five New Zealanders know or have known someone living with dementia mate wareware.
By 2050, the number of New Zealanders living with dementia mate wareware will rise to 170,000 and it will cost the country almost $6 billion a year in today’s dollars if nothing changes. It will hit our Māori, Pacific, and Asian communities hardest, creating major health equity issues.
There are three key actions by Government that could do much now to stem the worst impacts of this escalating situation:
- Fully fund and implement the Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan
- In Budget 2024, provide funding of $127.3 million over the three years 2024-2026 to Alzheimers and Dementia organisations to deliver community-based services
- Develop a health strategy and plan for an integrated continuum of care for older people
You can support us to campaign for these changes using the actions below or check out our Advocacy Toolkit.
Resources and information:
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Briefing to the Incoming Minister
In our joint Briefing to the Incoming Minister of Health Hon Dr Shane Reti with Dementia NZ, we’ve urged Government to reduce the dementia mate wareware challenge through three recommendations.