Elder Family Matters caring for people living with dementia

Dementia Care
In New Zealand more than 40,000 people have Alzheimer's disease and related dementia. This number is expected to reach nearly 200,000 in the next 50 years. These statistics don’t acknowledge the many thousands of families who are living at home with loved ones who have dementia. These family members require respite care. 

Support for dementia care at home
Elder Family Matters understands these challenges for both the person with dementia and their loved ones who are also living with dementia.  People with memory loss find familiar surroundings the best place to be. Elder Family Matters helps your loved one maintain a regular routine in their home, enliven the quality of their life, and providing peace of mind for concerned families.
 
Elder Family Matters has Carers with the skills to provide additional support for family or carers of people living with dementia, or respite care so the main carer has a break from the demands of 24 hour care. Elder Family Matters can also coordinate 24 hour care for people with dementia - even 24/7. 
 
Support for people with dementia in residential facilities

Residential facilities are being developed for people with dementia and they are doing great work providing a safe and often stimulating environment. However seldom does a residential facility have the number of staff to provide personalised support.

Elder Family Matters provides additional one on one support for people with dementia living in residential facilities, for example, taking them on trips and outings, reconnecting them with their interests and their past, and providing outdoor activities.
 
Presentation at Alzheimer’s New Zealand conference
Jude Dore and Lawrie Stewart of Elder Family Matters presented a paper titled “On Yer Bike”. This presentation discussed how Elder Family Matters maintains respect and dignity for its clients with dementia through:

• good information from and to loved ones,
• policies to ensure appropriate Carers are recruited and developed, and
• policies to ensure Client's needs and wishes are maintained.

View the PowerPoint presentation here (pdf, 640kb) and download the presentation notes here (word, 37kb).
 
If you live in the wider Wellington region (including Wellington city, Hutt Valley, Kapiti coast, Wairarapa, Porirua basin) and you are looking for quality care for someone living with dementia or respite for someone who is providing care for someone living with dementia then call Elder Family Matters on 0800 321 789 or email on efm@elderfamilymatters.co.nz

For further information
Alzheimers New Zealand (www.alzheimers.org.nz)
USA National Institute on Aging (www.nia.nih.gov/Alzheimers)