Brain Health Resources

Problems with memory, concentration and thinking are part of brain health and can be called dementia if they become serious enough to affect day-to-day life. This is a problem that affects older people in particular; around 1 in 20 of all those aged 65 years and over. It can be caused by several different disease processes, and the most common condition is called Alzheimer’s Disease.

Changes in memory

There are some changes in memory / thinking abilities which are normal for age:

  • Slower recall and thinking
  • Forgetting the finer details of a conversation
  • Having difficulty learning new information
  • Being slower at solving complex of unfamiliar problems
  • Having difficulty multitasking

 

But sometimes people notice changes that are more than this. There can be lots of different reasons for this:

Another possible reason is dementia

Possible signs of dementia include:

  • Repeatedly asking the same questions
  • Forgetting common words and mixing up words
  • Misplacing items in inappropriate places
  • Getting lost in familiar areas
  • Having trouble managing money, using the telephone, using transportation, or remembering to take medication

Keeping your brain healthy

If you are concerned about your memory / thinking abilities, it is best to see your GP in the first instance.

For more information

More information on age-related brain changes, creative tips and tricks for managing memory loss can be found at:

Age Concern: https://www.ageconcern.org.nz

Alzheimer NZ: https://alzheimers.org.nz

Dementia NZ: https://dementia.nz

Information about different health services and support in NZ, check out Healthify:  https://healthify.nz/care-and-support

Local support and services

Alzheimers NZ’s directory of local support https://alzheimers.org.nz/get-support/where-to-go-for-help/

Needs Assessment and Service Co-ordination (NASC) https://www.govt.nz/browse/health/help-in-your-home/needs-assessment/

Respite support and services https://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/services-and-support/disability-services/types-disability-support/respite/respite-supports-and-services

Local organisation websites and educational programmes

Alzheimers NZ https://alzheimers.org.nz/

Dementia Auckland https://da.org.nz/

Mate Wareware: Understanding Dementia from a Māori perspective https://www.matewareware.co.nz/

Dementia Learning Centre Te Pūtahi Akoranga mō Te Mate Wareware https://alzheimers.org.nz/explore/dementia-learning-centre/

Optimising brain health

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy https://alzheimers.org.nz/explore/dementia-learning-centre/cognitive-stimulation-therapy/

Improving sleep https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/health-a-z/s/sleep-problems/

Preventing falls https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/healthy-living/f/falls-prevention/