Dementia Hawkes Bay

19/06/2026

🙋‍♀️ Te Wiki Tūao ā-Motu | National Volunteer Awareness Week ❤️

Aotearoa has one of the highest rates of volunteering in the world with over 53% of adult New Zealanders making a vital impact across the country.

Every one of our volunteer team members play a meaningful part in achieving our mission to create an inclusive future where those touched by dementia | mate wareware can live their best lives in their community.

We provide our free services throughout Hawke’s Bay so we can always use an extra pair of hands. Our flexible volunteering roles cover a wide variety of tasks to suit all skills, interests, and availability – just get in touch and tell us what works for you.

We love working with our volunteers 🌟 – and they must love working with us because they keep coming back 🙏💖

18/06/2026

👨‍🦳 Elder abuse can involve many different types of behaviour and in most cases people experience more than one type of abuse. Any act that causes harm to an older person is elder abuse, including:

❗️Psychological abuse – for example, threats, humiliation or harassment that causes feelings of distress, shame or powerlessness.
❗️Financial abuse – for example, illegal use of someone’s money or assets, or being pressured to change a will or sign documents.
❗️Physical abuse – including any physical harm or injury
❗️Sexual abuse – including any non-consensual sexual activity
❗️Neglect of any kind, whether intentional or unintentional
If you have any concerns call the free Elder Abuse Response Service 24 hour helpline on 0800 32 668 65 for confidential advice. 💜

18/06/2026

A Big Shout Out to all the incredible volunteers across Hawke's Bay. Individually, and collectively, you all make our region more resilient, compassionate, and connected.

18/06/2026

🧔‍♂️ Men’s Health Week 👨🏽‍⚕️

Fella’s, we need to have a chat about your stats…

❗️️25% of men don’t live long enough to collect the pension
❗️️Over 20% more likely to die of a heart attack
❗️️Nearly 30% more likely to develop diabetes
❗️️4 years lower life expectancy than women

The good news is you don’t have to be a statistic. Many of the health issues facing men are preventable with a few lifestyle tweaks.

Make your health a priority and check out the men’s health info at https://menshealthweek.co.nz/

While you’re there take the quiz so you know how to keep in tip top condition for a healthier future for you, and the people who care about you. 💙

17/06/2026

🙋 Join us for our next Dementia Talk: Intimacy and sexuality (Part One) 🤝

Supporting a person’s sexuality, intimacy and relationships is closely connected to identity, self-worth, wellbeing and quality of life. Yet conversations about sexuality and dementia | mate wareware are often avoided, misunderstood, or treated as uncomfortable topics.

Research shows that supporting intimacy, affection and connection for people living with dementia can help reduce loneliness and support emotional wellbeing. At the same time, families, care partners and professionals are often navigating difficult questions around consent, changing behaviours, rights, safety, and communication.

Join us for part one of this two-part Dementia Talks series hosted by Winifred Henderson, Senior Educator at Dementia New Zealand, alongside Ashley Roberts from Hammond Innovations (Australia), as they explore the complexities of sexuality, intimacy and dementia.

This session will discuss:
• Sexuality and intimacy as part of wellbeing and identity
• Common myths and misconceptions about dementia and relationships
• Consent, communication and changing behaviours
• Supporting connection while balancing dignity, rights and safety
• The importance of language and person-centred approaches

This session is designed for people living with dementia, care partners, whānau, aged care workers, health professionals and anyone supporting people affected by dementia.

📆 Friday, 3 July 2026
🕙 10am - 11:30am
🖥 Online via Zoom
A webinar recording will also be emailed to all registrants following the live event.
Ticket prices:
People living with dementia, care partners and whānau: FREE
Individual Professional - $50 +GST (Includes a Certificate of Attendance)

🎟 Book now on our website 👇

Part one of a two-part series with Winifred Henderson and Ashley Roberts (Hammond Innovations, Australia), navigating the complexities of sexuality, intimacy and dementia.

17/06/2026

👨‍🦳1 in 6 older people have experienced abuse in the past year, with serious consequences for mortality, and mental and physical health.
If you suspect someone is being abused don’t look the other way.

Call the free Elder Abuse Response Service 24 hour helpline on 0800 32 668 65 for confidential advice from a trained local coordinator or visit https://www.officeforseniors.govt.nz/our-work/raising-awareness-of-elder-abuse/elder-abuse-response-service for more information. 💜

The Elder Abuse Response Service is a free, confidential 24 hour helpline.

16/06/2026

👏 A big shout out to all of our awesome past and present volunteers!🙋‍♀️

🚐Daily van drivers 🏡 House assistants 🧩 Activity facilitators 💲Fundraisers 🤝 Event supporters 👍 Behind the scenes helpers

You are all integral members of our Dementia Hawkes Bay family contributing your own unique blend of skills, talents, and experience that enriches the lives of our clients and their loved ones.

We are incredibly grateful that you choose to share your time and energy with us to support the people in our region affected by dementia | mate wareware. Your generosity makes our community a more joyous and compassionate place to live.

💓 Thank you for everything you do – together we can make a difference 🫶

14/06/2026

❤️This week our focus is on two topics close to our heart 💜

🙋‍♀️National Volunteer Awareness Week which celebrates the work of generous volunteers across the country whiria te tangata - weaving the people together. ❤️

👨‍🦳World Elder Abuse Awareness Week aims to increase our community’s understanding of the many forms of elder abuse, recognising the signs that may indicate someone needs help, and what to do if you have concerns.💜

14/06/2026

🙋 Join us for our next Dementia Talk in our Tech Series: Apps 📲

Across Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally, new digital tools are helping people living with dementia | mate wareware stay connected, supported, and engaged in everyday life.

In this special Dementia Talks webinar, three Aotearoa New Zealand-based innovators will share the stories behind their apps and platforms, each developed through lived experience, professional expertise, and a commitment to improving quality of life for people affected by dementia.

From reminiscence therapy and family connection tools, to reminders, wellbeing tracking, and accessible communication devices, this session will explore practical technologies designed to support independence, reduce isolation, and strengthen connection across whānau and care networks.

Join Winifred Henderson, Senior Educator at Dementia New Zealand, and guests:

Alister Robertson – My Life’s Journey
Diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer’s disease in 2014, Alister Robertson has become a respected advocate for people living with dementia both in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally. During this session, Alister will introduce My Life’s Journey – an app inspired by his own experience with reminiscence therapy, supporting people to record memories, photographs and stories that help preserve connection across generations.

Angela Edwards – Elli Cares
Angela Edwards is the founder of Elli Cares, an award-winning app developed in Aotearoa to support people living with dementia and cognitive impairment in maintaining independence and staying connected with those around them. Angela will explore how Elli Cares supports routines, wellbeing, family connection and day-to-day confidence through features including reminders, wellness tracking, safe zones and behavioural insights.

Julie Caldwell – Kitcal
Julie Caldwell is the co-founder of Kitcal, a communication platform developed to support people who may find standard touch-screen technology difficult to use. Built through extensive collaboration with older people, whānau and care providers, Kitcal is designed to reduce barriers to digital connection through simplified communication tools, multilingual options, and senior-friendly technology.

This session is designed for people living with dementia, care partners, whānau, health professionals, community organisations, and anyone interested in how technology can support connection, confidence and everyday wellbeing.

📅Friday, 26 June 2026
🕙 10am - 11am
💻Online via Zoom
🎟Ticket prices:
People living with dementia, care partners and whānau: FREE
Individual Professional - $50 +GST (Includes a Certificate of Attendance)
A webinar recording will also be emailed to all registrants following the live event

Book now on our website 👇

Join Winifred Henderson and guests Alister Robertson (My Life’s Journey), Angela Edwards (Elli Cares) and Julie Caldwell (Kitcal) for a discussion on digital apps that support people with dementia, care partners and whānau.