Continnum of care needs to be focus of review

Alzheimers NZ is urging decision makers to look at the whole continuum of care in phase two of the Aged Care Funding and Service Models Review.

Health NZ Te Whatu Ora is running a series of invite-only workshops around Aotearoa New Zealand this month to get feedback from the sector service and funding models that will result in a more integrated care model.

Representatives from Alzheimers NZ, Dementia NZ, and local Alzheimers and dementia organisations are attending the workshops in person throughout May. The Dementia Mate Wareware Network was able to give their feedback at the most recent hui in May – with about 100 people participating.

Alzheimers NZ Chief Executive Catherine Hall welcomes the opportunity to collaborate on the model but is urging Government to take a holistic view of the aged care sector.

She has previously responded to the review, and encourages decision makers to design policies, funding models and service delivery options with the whole continuum of care in mind.

“Dementia mate wareware spans the entire aged care sector, so we are disappointed this hasn’t been recognised so far.

“Aotearoa New Zealand can expect at least a 240 percent increase in dementia mate wareware cases in the next 30 years – this is not a problem for the future, the problem is already here.”

An online workshop will also be held in June, and an online survey will be made available to the public.