$325,000 boost to support those with dementia

$325,000 boost to support those with dementia

A strategic alliance formed this month between leading dementia support organisation Alzheimers New Zealand and residential aged care provider Bupa aims to improve support for New Zealanders with dementia and their families.

The first partnership of its kind in New Zealand’s aged care sector, the alliance was cemented with a $325,000 grant from Bupa to Alzheimers New Zealand, which will assist in providing increased support for New Zealand’s dementia community through shared service delivery, leadership, advocacy and education.

“With over 40,746 New Zealanders recorded as having dementia in 2008 and cases expected to grow to 74,821 by 2026, partnerships like this will have an important influence on the rights of people with dementia and make a significant difference to the day to day life of the thousands of people living with dementia in New Zealand,” said Alzheimers New Zealand’s national director Johan Vos.

“Both organisations actively campaign for better access to treatment and specialist care for people with dementia so the partnership is a good fit. Bupa will also contribute to the development of a National Dementia Strategy, currently being prepared for a launch at Parliament in May.”

Bupa CEO Dwayne Crombie said: “Both Alzheimers New Zealand and Bupa have a deep commitment to the dementia community and to enhancing the experience a person and their family has throughout their journey with dementia. It is important these people and their support networks are guided from the start with compassion, support, and quality service and information. Bupa hopes that working with Alzheimers New Zealand will ensure that this quality standard continues and sets a benchmark for others in the field.”

The partnership was formalised last week in Wellington at a luncheon held by the Board of Alzheimers New Zealand.

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