Frequently asked questions

What is the National Dementia Cooperative? Formed in 2011, the NDC consists of people who are  passionate about advancing knowledge of approaches to dementia care in NZ  willing to work together and drive a collaborative approach throughout NZ  keen to share resources, expertise, knowledge, trials and errors April 2014National Dementia Cooperative2

Who belongs to the NDC?  Over 750 individuals and organisations from all around New Zealand  A wide range of occupations and backgrounds including medical, nursing, allied health, carers, managers, academics  Small and large private providers, DHBs, NGOs, not-for-profits, religious, and professional organisations April 2014National Dementia Cooperative3

How does the NDC work?  The steering group oversees priority setting, planning, and implementation of the cooperative’s activities.  The national coordinator maintains database and website, communicates with members, supports action groups, organises activities.  Members choose how actively they participate in planning and activities. April 2014National Dementia Cooperative4

How is the NDC funded ?  Many organisations support in kind, eg catering, printing of leaflets, providing meeting rooms, video- and teleconferencing.  Our major funders in 2014 are Bupa Care Services and The Selwyn Foundation.  Members volunteer their time, or participate as part of their paid employment. April 2014National Dementia Cooperative5

April 2014National Dementia Cooperative6 Who are the steering group members? Chris Perkins, Psychiatrist for Older Persons; Director Selwyn Centre for Ageing and Spirituality, Auckland(Chair) Sue Thomson, Northern Regional Dementia Coordinator Richard Worrall, Consultant Psychogeriatrician & Clinical Director of MHSOP, Auckland DHB Grace O’ Sullivan, Occupational Therapist Consultant/Research Fellow, Auckland University of Technology Michal Boyd, Gerontology Nurse Practitioner, Waitemata DHB, Sr Lecturer, University of Auckland Anne Schumacher, Area Manager Wellington, Healthcare NZ Ruth Thomas, Midland Regional Dementia Coordinator Beth McDougall, Dementia Care Advisor, Bupa Care Services, Wtn Catherine Hall, Executive Director, Alzheimers NZ, Wellington Laurie Hilsgen, CEO, Carers NZ, Auckland Sharon Brandford, Clinical Director, IDEA Services IHC, Wellington Eileen Smith, carer, author, Auckland

April 2014National Dementia Cooperative7 What is the cooperative’s vision?  People with dementia and their family/whānau have the support they need to achieve an optimum level of health and functioning What are the cooperative’s principles?  Inclusive and optimistic attitudes  Commitment to the person with dementia and their family/whānau

April 2014National Dementia Cooperative8 What are the cooperative’s goals?  To promote life after a diagnosis of dementia  To encourage early diagnosis and early intervention  To increase awareness and understanding of dementia by government and the wider community through collaborative action  To contribute to, and thereby influence, national policy development regarding dementia specific services, workforce, and education  To encourage specialised training for all service providers working with people with dementia and their carers  To coordinate nationwide action and effort by knowledge sharing thus avoiding duplication of effort  To promote New Zealand-based research into dementia based on identified areas of need e.g. prevention, cure, and care  To influence practice by providing impetus for, and input into, dementia care initiatives  To support implementation of a national framework for dementia care pathways, and facilitate dialogue, and advocate for consistency, between public and private organisations regarding local pathways;  To develop and promote a standard of excellence in dementia care aligned to international trends

What are the priorities for 2014? Support implementation of the New Zealand Framework for Dementia Care Advance commitment to NZ research in dementia Strenghten relationships and alliances with other organisations Work with Ministry of Health and Alzheimers NZ to develop information resources Start planning knowledge exchange forum 2015 Raise ethical issues and maintain contact with National Ethics Advisory Committee Help establish and maintain contact with networks April 2014National Dementia Cooperative9

April 2014National Dementia Cooperative10 What are the networks?  Networks provide a forum for information sharing and networking around dementia related issues in the area  act as a conduit between the NDC, other dementia networks in NZ, and those delivering dementia services in the area  aim to facilitate communication between dementia related service providers in order to share opportunities, resources, projects, training, and research information

April 2014National Dementia Cooperative11 What are the benefits of joining the NDC?  Receive an update every month  Keep informed about developments in dementia care around NZ  Choose to participate in activities such as network meetings How do I join the NDC?  the coordinator Shereen Moloney

What are the benefits of signing up on the NDC website?  Choose to get an when content is added  Add content, eg meeting notes or resources How do I sign up on the NDC website?  Go to our website  Click on the sign up button  Complete the registration process  Once you are registered you can log in and get the benefits April 2014National Dementia Cooperative12