Dementia and Healthy Ageing Topic Map - Diagnosis Support Falls and Daily Living
Dementia and Healthy Ageing Topic Map
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
Purpose: A practical guide to recognising dementia warning signs, navigating the diagnosis pathway, finding local support, preventing falls, understanding healthy ageing, and planning ahead.
Key Points
- •Purpose: A practical guide to recognising dementia warning signs, navigating the diagnosis pathway, finding local support, preventing falls, understanding healthy...
- •This map connects clinical information with the support systems available in New Zealand.
- •Key contacts: Alzheimers NZ 0800 004 001 | Dementia NZ 0800 467 846 | Healthline 0800 611 116 | Health NZ NASC 0800 855 066 The diagnosis pathway in New Zealand...
Full Summary & Notes
Purpose: A practical guide to recognising dementia warning signs, navigating the diagnosis pathway, finding local support, preventing falls, understanding healthy ageing, and planning ahead. This map connects clinical information with the support systems available in New Zealand. > Key contacts: Alzheimers NZ 0800 004 001 | Dementia NZ 0800 467 846 | Healthline 0800 611 116 | Health NZ NASC 0800 855 066 The diagnosis pathway in New Zealand typically follows these steps: START: Concerned about memory or thinking changes │ ├─► Discuss concerns and symptoms │ ├─► GP takes medical history (including family history of dementia) │ ├─► GP checks for reversible causes (medication side effects, │ │ depression, infection, vitamin deficiency, thyroid issues) │ └─► GP conducts initial cognitive screening ├─► Step 2: Cognitive Screening │ ├─► Mini-ACE (Mini-Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination) │ │ — a brief, validated 5-minute test commonly used in NZ │ ├─► GP may also use GPCOG (General Practitioner Assessment │ │ of Cognition) or MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment) │ └─► Results indicate whether further assessment is needed ├─► Step 3: Blood Tests │ ├─► Full blood count, thyroid function, vitamin B12 │ ├─► Electrolytes, liver/kidney function, blood sugar │ └─► Rule out reversible/treatable causes of cognitive symptoms ├─► Step 4: CT Scan (or MRI) │ ├─► Brain imaging to check for: │ │ • Stroke damage (vascular dementia) │ │ • Brain tum
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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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For Care Partners of People Living with Dementia Mate Wareware This document is intended as a resource to support care partners and family/Whnau members of people living with dementia mate wareware.
Health inequities worsening — dementia increasing faster among Māori, Pacific peoples, and Asian communities.