Where to go for help
If you are living with or supporting someone with dementia mate wareware, you are not alone. This section outlines some of the places you can find help.
Find local help
Local Alzheimers and dementia mate wareware organisations provide support, education, information and related services to members of their communities who are affected by dementia mate wareware.
Needs Assessment and Service Coordination Service (NASC)
Every person who wishes to receive disability support services funded by Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand must be needs assessed by the NASC.
Senior Line
Information for older people to make decisions about staying at home, retirement villages, homecare, day care and rest homes.
Citizen’s Advice Bureau
The CAB service in Aotearoa New Zealand is about helping people to know and understand their rights and obligations.
Carers New Zealand
Carers NZ exists to support our country’s whānau and aiga carers.
Age Concern
Expertise and knowledge of all available services for older people as well as social activities.
Let’s End Loneliness
Information on loneliness and isolation with links to support services. Alzheimers NZ is part of the Coalition to End Loneliness.
Wills
Public Trust – Information on wills which can be written by a specialist, tailored to your individual needs. Public Trust offers free half hour consultations for people with dementia, their families and supporters. The consultations can cover topics like your will, power of attorney or setting up a trust. To book an appointment and to find out more visit the Public Trust website or call 0800 371 471.
For issues around Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA) or welfare concerns
Family court
Designed to help people resolve whānau issues, where possible, without going to court.
Law Society
Assistance with finding a lawer, and understanding laws.
Community Law
Find information about Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA).
Health and Disability Commission
Information on human rights issues
Healthline
Healthline is staffed by experienced registered nurses who can provide you with health information and advice on care
Advance Care Planning
Help with considering what the future might hold, and how to plan for it
Work and Income He Hiranga Tangata
Information on financial assistance in Aotearoa New Zealand
Life Unlimited
Contacts with Hearing Therapists, and other services
The New Zealand Audiology Society
Apply for hearing aid funding, and hearing health tests
Continence New Zealand
Further advice on managing incontinence and promoting good bladder and bowel health
Work and Income New Zealand
Information on benefits and financial assistance
Eldernet
Provides you with timely, relevant information about services for older people in Aotearoa New Zealand
Ministry of Health
Services to assist people to live in a supported community environment
Dementia Alliance International (DAI) facilitates weekly online peer-to-peer support groups in a number of different time zones. Each group has two or three hosts to ensure there is aways someone available. Find out more about the online support groups.
Younger Onset Dementia Aotearoa Trust (YODAT) is an organisation which supports people living with dementia under the age of 65 with:
- a twice-weekly day service programme in Wellington, including Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) and other activities to build self-esteem and well-being. The service is currently offered in Wellington with the plan to extend it to other parts of the country. Email yodatdayservice@gmail.com
- monthly online meetings for supporters, facilitated by a registered Mental Health Nurse. For more information, contact
yodatonlinegroups@gmail.com
1737
If you are feeling anxious, depressed or overwhelmed, or you just need someone to talk to (or text with), you can call or text 1737 to a trained counsellor
Lifeline
Lifeline Aotearoa’s helpline and textline provides 24/7, confidential support from qualified counsellors and trained volunteers. Call 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP).
Suicide Crisis Helpline
If you think you, or someone you know, may be thinking about suicide, call the Suicide Crisis Helpline for support on 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO).
Samaritans
Samaritans offer confidential, non-religious and non-judgemental support to anyone who may be feeling depressed, lonely, or even be contemplating suicide. Call 0800 726 666.
Seniorline
A free information service for older people. Call 0800 725 463.
Depression Helpline
0800 111 757 or free text 4202 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions)
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Booklets and factsheets
Our booklets cover many questions that people with dementia, their whānau and friends may have. Knowing what to expect can help everyone prepare for what is coming, and knowing about what support and services are available is key to living well with dementia mate wareware.