Alzheimers New Zealand For dementia support call 0800 004 001

10 tips to get you started

If you’re not quite sure how to get started as a Dementia Friend here are some easy ways to take the first step.

• Join the Dementia Friends NZ Facebook group, post photos and tell us how you get on with your action here. We want to hear how you get on as a Dementia Friend and will also keep you up to date about what we are doing. You can also Like the Alzheimers NZ Facebook page here. 
• Wear your Dementia Friends badge or wristband so people know they can approach you and ask for help.
• Encourage your family/whānau, friends, work colleagues and people in your community to become Dementia Friends by doing the online programme.
• If you like working with someone, start out with a friend of yours who has also become a Dementia Friend and together decide on a simple first step you can take to progress your actions.
• Maintain or reconnect relationships with family/whānau, friends, work colleagues and people in your community with dementia. Ask if there is anything they would like you to do that would be helpful to them.
• Look out for people who look like they might need assistance and offer to help as appropriate.
• Learn more about dementia and ways to be dementia friendly. There is a wealth of excellent information available including books, documentaries, movies, TED talks, websites, online courses (often these are free), YouTube videos etc.
• Contact your local Alzheimers organisation and offer to help. Click here to find your local association. 
• Contact your local residential facility or rest home and offer to help.
• Start a conversation in your workplace about becoming dementia-friendly and with your work colleagues, advocate for your workplace to enrol in our Dementia Friendly Recognition Programme.