Dementia: Give up, Give in, Or Give It All You Got!

Wednesday 18th May

Media Release

For immediate use

Dementia: Give up, Give in, Or Give It All You Got!

You only get three choices with dementia, give up, give in, or give it all you got! For the month of May, Z Carlton Corner is supporting Alzheimers Canterbury’s comprehensive Activities Programme through their ‘Good in the Hood’ campaign. People can vote with their orange tokens to support people with dementia to make the most of life.

Keeping active, socially and physically while you age, is so important and research shows especially so for people diagnosed with a dementia. There is no cure for dementia, but there are things you can do in order to maintain quality of life and live well. Dementia is certainly not the end. Staying socially and physically active being important factors in reducing the risk of social isolation and depression.

Alzheimers Canterbury has launched a community-based activities programme so that people with dementia can literally give it all they have, participating in activities in the community, whilst providing care-partners with some time to focus on self-care.

Maria Scott-Multani, Activities Programme Coordinator of Alzheimers Canterbury and Occupational Therapist says: “Our focus is to facilitate activities in the community that people may have enjoyed before their diagnosis, in partnership with existing organisations and Council facilities. Examples are swimming, walking, art appreciation and theatre; We also have a gardening and baking group where our clients participate as volunteers helping with the upkeep of the Botanic Gardens and baking for the families who are staying at the Ronald McDonald House. This provides a sense of purpose and doing good which also has a positive impact on their wellbeing.

The programme plays an important role in supporting people with a dementia to continue to lead fulfilling, meaningful and happy lives, whilst prolonging the likelihood of being able to live in the comfort of their own homes.”

“Initial observations of group participants when engaged in purposeful activities within a community context reflect the powerful and positive impact it has on their wellbeing.

In discussion with one of the group participants they made the observation that on being diagnosed with dementia they experienced family and friends placing them in what felt like a cocoon of protection where they no longer felt able to do things the same. They described the gardening group as ‘re-opening up their world and becoming something they looked forward to every month’.

To support Alzheimers Canterbury’s Activities Programme head to Z Carlton Corner and use your orange token to cast your vote.

For more information about the programme or any other services for people diagnosed with dementia, please call 0800 004 001 or emailadmin@alzcanty.co.nz.

Ends.

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