We recognise that a dementia diagnosis affects an entire family, not just the person diagnosed, so Dementia Wellington offers tailored learning opportunities for anyone caring for a person with dementia, throughout the progression of the dementia. These opportunities are free to attend although a koha or donation towards the towards costs of venue hire is most appreciated.

Navigating Dementia

Our ninety-minute interactive seminar Navigating Dementia is a great starting point for people newly diagnosed with dementia and their families. In these seminars, we discuss what is and what isn’t dementia, and what services are available for people affected by dementia.

Upcoming seminars for 2024:

Wellington Kilbirnie – Lyall Bay Community Centre, 58-60 Bay Road, Tue, 7 May 2024 – 3.30-5.00pm
contact tina@dementiawellington.org.nz to register

Wellington – Karori Community Centre, Tue, 18 June 2024 – 1.30-3.00pm
contact tina@dementiawellington.org.nz to register

Kapiti – Coastlands Aquatic Centre – Thurs, 25 July 2024 – 1.30pm – 3pm
contact jackie@dementiawellington.org.nz to register.

Let’s Talk About Dementia

Dementia Wellington has developed a series of talks to answer the most common questions we get about mate wareware dementia. Each topic will be presented by a subject matter expert, with opportunity for questions and discussion. These talks are open to anyone who supports somebody with dementia – you can register for all or just come along to one to find out about a specific topic.

Session 1 – What is Dementia?

• What is and isn’t dementia mate wareware
• Normal Brain Function
• Types of Dementia

Session 2 – Understanding Changes in Behaviour and Communication

• Identifying changes in behaviour
• Causes for changed behaviour including communication
• Responding to changed behaviours to achieve a positive interaction

Session 3 – Preparing for Day Respite, Residential Respite and Long-term Care

• Understanding and choosing respite options
• Role of the Needs Assessment Service
• Preparing for Long Term Care.

Session 4 – Staying Engaged and Active

• Why are Activities Important?
• Activities to maintain Brain Health for as long as possible.

Session 5 – Dealing with Grief and Loss

• Difference between Ambiguous Loss and Normal Loss
• Strategies to help a person with mate wareware dementia live with losses and grief.
• Strategies to help Supporters live with losses and grief.

Upcoming sessions for 2024:

North Wellington – Tawa Anglican Church, 1 Lyndhurst Road, Tawa – Thurs 10am – 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 May 2024 contact rachel@dementiawellington.org.nz or sheena@dementiawellington.org.nz for more information or to register.

Living Well course

This course is specifically designed for people in the early stages of dementia. Contact us on admin@dementiawellington.org.nz to find out whether the next Living Well course would be right for you.