Alzheimers New Zealand

Alzheimers New Zealand Incorporated is a not-for-profit organisation with 21 Alzheimers member organisations located throughout the country that provide support, information, education programmes and services appropriate to their local community.

These services may include:

• Support for spouses, partners, families and friends coping with the demands of caring
• Information and education to assist with understanding diagnosis and assessment
• Information to help cope with the financial challenges of providing support
• Befriending services and day programmes for people with dementia

To get in touch with your local organisation, phone 0800 004 001, or click here for a list of contact details.

At a national level, Alzheimers New Zealand represents people with dementia, their carers and families/whānau, through advocacy, raising public awareness and providing information such as resources, a library and the quarterly publication Alzheimers News. We also support the work of our member organisations.

To get in touch with national office please phone 04 381 2362 or email admin@alzheimers.org.nz for enquiries or information.

Dementia occurs as a result of physical changes in the structure of the brain. These changes can affect memory, thinking, behaviour, personality and emotion. Because dementia is a progressive syndrome, symptoms will gradually worsen. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer's disease, although there are several other forms. No single factor has been identified as a cause for dementia or Alzheimer's disease. It is likely that a combination of factors, including age, genetic inheritance and environment are responsible.

There are over 48,000 people with dementia in New Zealand. Alzheimers New Zealand works with people with dementia, their family/whanau, friends and community. We estimate around 300,000 New Zealanders are affected by dementia. People of all ages, ethnicities and intellectual ability can get dementia. While it is more common in people over the age of 65, it can also affect younger people.