September is World Alzheimers Month

Wendy Richards from Volunteering New Plymouth

Here in Taranaki we are so privileged to have a wonderful Centre that provides a range of services to support people affected by dementia.
There are two sites here, one in Hawera operated out of the Nolantown Bowling Club and in New Plymouth where after much fundraising and hard mahi they managed to build a purpose-built centre situated at 14 Manakohi Street, Spotswood.
This has enabled the team in North Taranaki to work from one place and so each team is able to work more efficiently.

The New Plymouth site is a great asset and the arrangement of the building is very user friendly for those with dementia who attend the day programme and other services.
The following services are available to Taranaki community:
1) Day Respite Programme.
This provides social and cognitive stimulation, entertainment and activities for people in the early to moderate stages of dementia, whilst also providing respite for the care partner, carers and family/whanau. Both centres utilize volunteers to support the staff in the activities; and having visited both these clubs, I observed that this is a great place to be involved as a volunteer.
Currently New Plymouth are looking for some handy people to support the activities with their
Tool Box – to help with small projects as another hand on activity.
In Hawera they also offer the Day Programme/ Club, with similar activities to New Plymouth – with a South Taranaki flavour.
2) Navigation Services
This service has experienced Community Advisors who provide support to people in the community, which includes facilitating Carer Support Groups and Alz Café Social Groups around the region.
3) Education Services
A Community Educator provides education, up to date information and promotes dementia awareness to aid the goal of a Dementia Friendly Taranaki. They can visit workplaces to give presentations and they also run post diagnostic education courses for people who are newly diagnosed.
There are currently 70,000 people living with dementia mate wareware in Aotearoa New Zealand and this is expected to increase 240 percent in the next 30 years. There are some misconceptions around dementia mate wareware but with the right support people can continue doing the things they love
As part of Alzheimers month there are always activities, and the following are this year’s options:
3rd September - About Dementia evening workshop 6.pm – 7.30pm in person and online (booking required)
9th September – Reducing the risk Public talk 14 Manakohi Street, Spotswood 10am – 11.30am (bookings required)
16th – 20th September - Library display & drop-in sessions – Puke Ariki, Hawera and Opunake
20th September – An evening with Sir Richard Faull – 6pm – 7.30pm – 14 Manakohi Street, Spotswood (Bookings required)
22nd September Memory Walk from 10am – wear purple and walk with the community from East End Reserve to Tasman Prospect
Where can you learn more?
If you are interested to learn more about Alzheimers Taranaki, listen to Volly Voices on Access Radio when Helen chats about what is happening at the local centre and what is involved and where their locations are.
This can also be listened to on:
Spotify open.spotify.com...
Apple Podcast podcasts.apple.com...
Access Radio website www.accessradiotaranaki.com...
Volunteering New Plymouth website www.volunteeringnewplymouth.org.nz...
Who can you contact?
If you are curious to learn more about Alzheimers Taranaki and / or you are interested in becoming a volunteer with this great group, please contact Wendy at Volunteering New Plymouth on 06 758 8986; E: admin@vnp.nz or Ph/Text: 022 571 4228 to take the next step.

Alzheimers Events in Taranaki.pdf Download View