Alzheimers Wellington launches new dementia guide

Alzheimers Wellington launches ground breaking dementia guide “Understanding and Respecting Customers with a Dementia: A guide for staff”

This practical guide is designed to help customer service staff better support customers who have a dementia, recognise signs which suggest customers may be having problems and gives practical advice on how to help.

The launch is being held as part of the monthly Jackson Street Programme BA 5 event and is an invitation only event. Associate Minister of Health Jo Goodhew will speak at the launch.

Alzheimers Wellington was looking for a way to give back to the community. “We often look to businesses for support, and had little to offer them in return. The guide, we hope, is a practical way of giving something back”, says Nigel Heard, Manager of Alzheimers Wellington.

A5 photocopied booklets will be available at the launch and post launch will be available to down load from our website. http://www.alzheimers.org.nz/wellington

“There has been already been a lot of interest in this resource which goes a small way to making communities in the Wellington region more dementia friendly ” Mr Heard said.

He added “It is exciting to be able to launch the resource at the Jackson Street Programme business meeting today and give something back to our local Petone business community. It is also a great honour that Associate Minister of Health, the Hon. Jo Goodhew can attend because she has been a tireless champion of people affected by dementia and very supportive of the work of Alzheimers Wellington over the years.”

The guide has been adapted with the kind permission of the original creators, Hampshire County Council and partners in the UK.

Alzheimers Wellington offers support services directly to people in the Hutt Valley, Wellington, Porirua and Kapiti Coast who have Alzheimers disease or another dementia and their family and friend supporters.

In 2013 four community workers:
• Worked with 611 families affected by dementia – all of these families include a person with a dementia, some may include two.
• Received 196 new referrals from around 30 different professional organisations. An increase of 52% on the previous year.
• Received 119 new referrals from families or friends of a person with a dementia. A
similar number to the previous year.
• Worked with over 1000 family supporters
• Made 403 home assessment visits
• Facilitated 46 supporter groups for family carers
• Facilitated 79 social support groups for people with a dementia
• Presented 16 education workshops
• Responded to over 1600 requests for information
Our Vision: For people of New Zealand to recognise, value and support people living with dementia

Our Mission: Making life better for all people affected by dementia; Kia piki te ora mo ngā tangatā mate pōrewarewa

Alzheimers Wellington is one of 21 Alzheimer’s Organisations throughout the country delivering support services directly to people affected by dementia.

The Event
When: Wednesday 20 August
Time: from 5.30pm – 7pm Presentations 6pm
Where: Petone Working Men's Club, Udy Street, Petone

ends

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