Dementia NZ - Web Capture - Getting a Diagnosis
Dementia NZ
Sector evidence
Sector body
June 2026
Next review not yet scheduled
New Zealand
Medium confidence
published
SNZ editorial review
Evidence boundary: This record summarises the cited source. It does not establish local availability, individual eligibility, or professional advice.
Short Answer
It is time to see a doctor if you or someone you know is experiencing:
Key Points
- •Make a list of specific examples of memory or thinking problems — when they started, how often they happen.
- •Bring a support person — a family member or friend who has observed the changes can help explain things.
- •List all medications — prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal remedies.
- •Note any other health conditions and recent illnesses, falls, or hospital stays.
- •Write down questions to ask the doctor.
- •Mini-Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (Mini-ACE) is the most common test used in New Zealand.
Full Summary & Notes
It is time to see a doctor if you or someone you know is experiencing: - Memory loss that is affecting daily life (forgetting recent events, appointments, conversations) - Difficulty with familiar tasks (cooking, managing money, using a phone) - Confusion about time, date, or place - Language problems (finding the right word, following a conversation) - Changes in mood, behaviour, or personality that are out of character - Poor judgement or decision-making - Withdrawal from social activities or hobbies Many conditions can cause dementia-like symptoms — including depression, anxiety, vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid disorders, infections (especially in older people), medication side effects, sleep apnoea, and alcohol misuse. A thorough medical check can identify treatable causes. - Make a list of specific examples of memory or thinking problems — when they started, how often they happen. - Bring a support person — a family member or friend who has observed the changes can help explain things. - List all medications — prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal remedies. - Note any other health conditions and recent illnesses, falls, or hospital stays. - Write down questions to ask the doctor. If the GP findings suggest dementia, the person is usually referred to one of the following: - Older People's Health Service / Geriatrician — hospital-based specialist service for older adults with cognitive decline. - **Psych
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Physical p. 3 explicitly says Published April 2024; May 2024 PDF upload/modification clues and the [13 May publisher launch story](https://www.ageingwellchallenge.co.nz/ka-mua-ka-muri/) are separate dates. The preserved 116-page file matched the current publisher download on 10 October 2026. For present clinical information use [Health NZ dementia guidance](https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/health-topics/conditions-treatments/brain-and-nerves/dementia); the book’s research tools and reported uptake do not establish current nationwide availability.
The [publisher’s publications list](https://alzheimers.org.nz/explore/advocacy/publications/) identifies the August 2024 submission. The [Health Committee’s later release](https://www3.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/committees-press-releases/health-committee-reports-findings-of-aged-care-inquiry-to-the-house/) records its final report on 20 November 2025; that report is distinct from this submission. Dementia NZ published its [successor 2026–2031 sector plan article](https://dementia.nz/dementia-mate-wareware-action-plan-2026-2031/) on 24 September 2025. The submission’s blanket no-treatment statement should not guide care: current [Health NZ](https://www.healthnz.govt.nz/health-topics/conditions-treatments/brain-and-nerves/dementia) and [WHO](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia) guidance discuss symptom management and support. The [Ministry’s endorsement release](https://www.health.govt.nz/information-releases/endorsement-of-improving-dementia-mate-wareware-services-in-aotearoa-new-zealand-action-plan) records Cabinet endorsement of the September 2021 sector plan; endorsement remains distinct from full implementation.
The [HDC publisher page](https://www.hdc.org.nz/our-work/aged-care-commissioner/amplifying-the-voices-of-older-people-in-aotearoa-new-zealand/), dated 7 March 2024 for the main report, also links this separate April 2024 desktop review. Its cover spells the author Jane Ferriera, while Author metadata spells Jane Ferreira; both clues are preserved. For present legal rights use the [HDC Code](https://www.hdc.org.nz/your-rights/about-the-code/code-of-health-and-disability-services-consumers-rights/), rather than treating this historical author’s review as legislation or an investigation decision.
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