9:25 am today

Caring for the carers with dementia on the rise

From Nine To Noon, 9:25 am today
image of Dementia Care

Photo: bupa.co.nz

How families and friends can support people in their network caring for loved ones living with dementia. 

Beth McDougall is Bupa's national Dementia Care Specialist.

She says dementia numbers are forecast to rise from 70,000 in 2020, to 170,000 by 2050, so it's a situation that is going to become familiar to many more New Zealand families.

The Health Select Committee is carrying out an inquiry into aged care, looking into current and future capacity and support for early onset neurological disorders.

Beth McDougall says a key issue is how grown children can support their parents showing signs of dementia.