September is World Alzheimer’s Month and in Nelson-Tasman more than 300 people are supported by the organisation helping those living with dementia navigate the challenges of daily life.
Alzheimer’s Nelson Tasman manager Heather Lackner says Alzheimer’s disease is just one type of dementia, with about 83,000 New Zealanders known to be living with dementia.
“The number of people diagnosed is increasing and up to 50 per cent of people with dementia may not be diagnosed,” she says.
“People don’t get diagnosed with dementia until it affects their everyday life.”
One in four people die with dementia and Heather says it is one of the risks associated with ageing. But while age is a risk factor, there are also people under 65 years of age who develop dementia. Last year, about 6,700 New Zealanders under 65 were living with dementia.
Symptoms vary from person to person, depending on the parts of the brain affected, and can affect memory, thinking, behaviour, personality and emotions.
“Dementia is unique for each person.”
Alzheimer’s Nelson Tasman is celebrating 40 years of supporting the local community, with part of its role helping people with dementia navigate the systems and services they need.
For World Alzheimer’s Month, its annual, purple-themed Memory Walk will be held on 19 September in Isel Park, raising awareness of dementia in the community and honouring those living with dementia, as well as their care partners and friends.
The Memory Walk, ‘together we walk to remember’, begins at 11am outside St Barnabas Church, before walking through the park to the accompaniment of local pipers.
