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Alzheimers New Zealand's Mission is to make life better for people affected by dementia – and believe me that is a very large number of people. Just mention the word dementia to anyone and almost without fail, they will know someone who is affected by it and have a story to tell. One of the feedback comments from Member Organisations collecting for Alzheimers New Zealand during the Alzheimers Awareness week in August this year was the high number of people, who often with some relief, told of their experiences with dementia.

In my Chairperson's column in the June 2007 Alzheimers News I stated that We (New Zealand) are part of the global village - dementia is already a worldwide issue and the statistics of today, plus the projected doubling of these statistics every 5 years, tell the story as it is.

Dementia is already a national health priority in New Zealand. You just have to ask the approximately 40,000 people with dementia who live with dementia and their families and they will categorically tell you how dementia has impacted on their lives and that it is already a priority for them. They will tell you there is no time for others to dally and ponder as to whether or not dementia should be given priority status. The time to act is now.

At the end of June this year, at his invitation, Kate Clark (Person with dementia on the Alzheimers New Zealand Board), Lucille Ogston (Alzheimers New Zealand National Director), and I attended a meeting with the Minister of Health, the Hon Pete Hodgson. This was a positive meeting where an agreement was reached that we will work together to ensure that the best strategy possible is put in place, that it is well resourced and that it is implemented with urgency. A second meeting is scheduled. One initiative will see Alzheimers New Zealand working with the Ministry of Health to scope and participate in a three year review of dementia in New Zealand.

Moving forward however is not something that we can achieve in isolation. It will take the knowledge, expertise and input from everyone involved in dementia - the Government, the Ministry of Health and Alzheimers New Zealand, along with key stakeholders, scientists and researchers, service providers and the wider community, and most importantly people with dementia and their families. We can not afford to be complacent ourselves however and we need to ensure that dementia stays in the forefront of government and as a critical issue in the minds of all our politicians as well as those who lead our district health boards and local government.

In October this year, local government and district health board elections will be held. Next year is the general election. Remember that a minimum of 8 people for every one person with dementia will be significantly affected by dementia. That's an awful lot of votes. We can all help influence candidates by raising awareness about dementia and its impact and we can inform them about what can and should be done to make life better for people affected by dementia.

Remember that one drop in the puddle may only make a small splash however the ripple effect will make a much bigger wave. Let's all pull together to make a difference. How can you help? Get out there now!!

• Talk to your local candidates; lobby your local MPs whatever party, DHB board members, and local body councillors.
• Send letters to the electoral and list MPs in your area.
• Write to the editor of your local media.
• Become a media contact and share your story
• Contact your local Alzheimers New Zealand Member Organisation and ask how you can help Together we can do this. We can and will make a difference for all those affected by dementia.

Regards

Making life better for all people affected by dementia