South Island organisations make themselves at home with dementia mate wareware services
People who live rurally with dementia mate wareware in Te Waipounamu (South Island) now have unprecedented access to day programmes thanks to a new collaboration of organisations.
Alzheimers Managers Heather Lackner (Nelson/Tasman) and Rosie Chambers (South Canterbury) are two of the five South Island Alzheimers NZ and Dementia NZ organisations involved in the Te Waiponamu HomeShare Pilot programme being delivered in partnership by Presbyterian Support Upper South Island.
This is currently being delivered through a collaboration of 10 organisations with 17 programmes running across Te Waipounamu.
Local Alzheimers services and Dementia Canterbury are providing dementia mate wareware specific education packages for HomeShare, and in addition Alzheimers Marlborough and Otago are facilitating four of the 17 sites currently running.
“The big things for us, is the collaboration,” says Heather. “It’s about developing relationships and moving forward and being a collaboration of organisations alongside the person.”
“We have a shared vision and we’ve built those relationships now. We’re very much working together for the better of people living with dementia,” says Rosie.
Budget 2022 allocated $12 million over four years for new pilot dementia mate wareware post-diagnostic supports, navigation services or respite care services – part of the Dementia Mate Wareware Action Plan. Dementia Mate Wareware Homeshare is one the seven pilot programmes.
Heather and Rosie have been educating the facilitators of HomeShare in their districts –– many of those who are working with people living with dementia mate wareware for the first time.
HomeShare is different to standard day programmes because the group size is much smaller – up to about five people – and often held in the comfort of a person’s home. But they may also be held in homely community centres or places with cultural significance, like marae, if appropriate. The other point of difference here is that these programmes are designed to suit the specific needs of those living with dementia mate wareware, while providing a break for whānau.
This also opens access to these types of programmes to people who live rurally and often miss out on services which are only available in bigger towns and cities.
While the person living with dementia mate wareware gets an enjoyable day of activities – from supporting regular household tasks, to crafts, quizzes and art, to dancing and singing and outings creating opportunities for social connection – their care partner gets some, often much needed, respite.
While pulling the training course together in itself has been a massive feat, the benefits have been even greater.
“The feedback we’ve had [from the attendees] is how much they’ve got out of the sessions,” says Heather.
And what are their top tips for supporting a person with dementia mate wareware?
“Take the lead from them – they still have opinions and choices and let them guide you,” says Heather.
Rosie says it’s a privilege to be in this role and you can make a real difference in people’s lives.
“It’s about empowering people and giving them choice, supporting people to live their best lives with dementia. Shifting that thinking right at the start is really important.”
The HomeShare pilot and six other pilots being implemented around the county are currently being evaluated by Health NZ.
Caption from left: Catherine Donnelley (Alzheimers Marlborough), Rosie Chambers (Alzheimers South Canterbury), Darral Campbell (Dementia Canterbury), Antoinette McLean (Alzheimers Otago), Heather Lackner (Alzheimers Nelson/Tasman) and Sarah Togher (Dementia Canterbury)