Caregiver support key in tackling dementia
TVNZ One News 23 June 2016
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“The psychogeriatrician said it was also important that people knew the condition wasn’t “the end” and people could have a positive quality of life for years after diagnosis. “It’s another phase of their life. Sure it’s a debilitating disease, but that’s over many years.””
Innovative support for family carers, not building more nursing homes, will be key to tackling the rising costs of looking after dementia sufferers, an expert in the field says.
Professor Henry Brodaty, described as the father of alzheimer’s and dementia research in Australia for his 35 years in the field, has just been given the $250,000 Ryman Prize – awarded for work that improves the lives of the elderly – in Wellington.
While in New Zealand, he told NZ Newswire that research into new approaches to support for people caring for family members with dementia would be a significant part of dealing with the condition in the future.
New Zealand currently has an estimated 45,000 to 50,000 people with dementia, but world trends suggest that figure might triple by 2050 as the population ages.
Prof Brodaty said despite billions of dollars being spent researching treatments, there hadn’t been breakthroughs and budget issues would become “challenging” in decades to come.
“We can’t just keep building more and more nursing houses. We need to find better ways to support people at home, to support the families and to stave off the symptoms with lifestyle changes,” he said.
READ MORE: https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/caregiver-support-key-in-tackling-dementia
