Alzheimers New Zealand For dementia support call 0800 004 001

NASC services are organisations contracted by your local DHB to work alongside people in the community who require support services to either remain living in the community or to transition into residential care.

When the time is right, you can contact your local NASC agency or be referred via your GP or other health professional.  A case manager will then make contact with you and your family to determine what support services are required.  These may include:

• Home help
• Personal care (showering, dressing, medication management)
• Respite care
• Carer relief
• Day programs
• Residential care

If you are under 65 you can find your local NASC agency here.

Dementia Alliance International (DAI) facilitates weekly online peer-to-peer support groups in the a number of different time zones. Each group has two or three hosts to ensure there is aways someone available. Find out more about the online support groups. 

Younger Onset Dementia Aotearoa Trust (YODAT) offers a day service programme in Wellington for people who have experienced dementia before the age of 65. Included in the twice-weekly day service for brain and body health is Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) and other activities to build self-esteem and well-being. Lunch is provided, as well as lots of opportunities for socialisation. One of YODAT's future goals is to offer the day service to other centres across New Zealand.  Please see the YODAT website for more information, including suitability criteria for the Wellington day service. A referral form can be downloaded here, and submitted to yodatunder65@gmail.com.

1737
If you are feeling anxious, depressed or overwhelmed, or you just need someone to talk to, you can call or text 1737 to (or text with) a trained counsellor. 

Lifeline
Lifeline Aotearoa’s helpline and textline provides 24/7, confidential support from qualified counsellors and trained volunteers. Call 0800 543 354 (0800 LIFELINE) or free text 4357 (HELP)

Suicide Crisis Helpline
If you think you, or someone you know, may be thinking about suicide, call the Suicide Crisis Helpline for support on 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO)

Samaritans
Samaritans offer confidential, non-religious and non-judgemental support to anyone who may be feeling depressed, lonely, or even be contemplating suicide. Call 0800 726 666. 

Seniorline
A free information service for older people. Call 0800 725 463. 

Depression Helpline
0800 111 757 or free text 4202 (to talk to a trained counsellor about how you are feeling or to ask any questions)

For more information, download the Helplines Brochure from the Mental Health Foundation.