Dementia Canterbury

16/01/2026

THE UNSPOKEN IMPACT OF DEMENTIAMany Australians mistakenly think the symptoms of dementia are a normal part of ageing.Dementia is caused by diseases that dam...

09/01/2026

This summer, we’re inviting our dementia community, whānau, friends, and supporters to come together for the Walk for Dementia 2026 💙

Walking is one of the simplest ways to support brain health, and it’s even better when we do it together. Whether you’re living with dementia, supporting someone who is, or simply want to show your support, this walk is about connection, visibility, and care.

🗓 Sunday 8 March
⏰ 10:30am – 12:00pm
📍 Ngā Puna Wai Sports Hub

Walk at your own pace, and enjoy being part of a supportive community. Dressing up is encouraged and there will be spot prizes.

👉 Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/walk-for-dementia-2026-tickets-1732741238689

Who might you invite to walk alongside you?

Join us to walk in memory or support of a loved one with dementia & help raise funds to support Dementia Canterbury’s work in the community

08/01/2026

Looking for practical, compassionate guidance on supporting someone with dementia?

𝗞𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗣𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗽𝘀, 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗮𝗱, 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝘃𝗲 𝗚𝗼𝘁 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮: 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝘆 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿, shares grounded, real-world tips drawn from her own experience caring for her father. It’s an honest, accessible read for anyone navigating dementia in their family.

📘 Available now in selected bookstores and at BrainTree.

If you’d like to purchase a copy, get in touch or drop by the office. We are happy to courier if you cover the cost of postage.

05/01/2026

🌟 Looking after your brain this summer? 🌞

Dementia Canterbury has a range of free brain health resources to help you stay sharp and informed — from top tips you can download to links on physical exercise, hearing and brain health, diet, sleep, and more. There are also videos and expert talks from past seminars that you can explore at your own pace.

👉 Check them out here: https://dementiacanterbury.org.nz/brain-health/resources/

☎️ Questions? Call Dementia Canterbury on 03 379 2590.

01/01/2026

If one of your New Year's Resolutions is to walk or exercise more, sign up for our Walk for Dementia! This fun event is taking place on Sunday 8 March 2026, 10:30am- 12pm.

Thanks to for supporting us in this event.

Click here to sign up: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/walk-for-dementia-2026-tickets-1732741238689?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

31/12/2025

Happy New Year! We are opening on Monday 5 January and are looking forward to a great year ahead.

If you need support before then, your best contact is your GP, or in an emergency, please call the Acute Resolution Centre at Older Person's Health on 0800 920 092.

29/12/2025

If you or someone you know are caring for someone with dementia-mate wareware these holidays, we've got some helpful hints.

𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗺, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀
Including a person with dementia in festive life, in ways that suit them, can be deeply meaningful. They may still enjoy:

- Simple preparations like baking or decorating
- Familiar music, carols, or services
- Short visits with children (with breaks as needed)
- Time outside enjoying fresh air and nature.

Reducing background noise and distractions can help everyone feel calmer. And be kind to yourself. You’re doing something hard, with care and love.

What small moment of calm or connection are you hoping for this festive season?

Read more here: https://dementiacanterbury.org.nz/tips-for-managing-the-festive-season/

25/12/2025

We've put together some tips if you or someone you know are caring for someone with dementia-mate wareware.

𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱:
A little planning can ease a lot of festive stress. Before a holiday or travelling:

- Talk through plans with family early
- Think about food preferences - smaller meals or familiar foods may work best
- Choose environments that feel safe and not overstimulating
- Set up a quiet space to retreat if things get too much
- Remember practicalities too - medications, pharmacy closures, and after-hours contacts.

And if you can, ask for the gift of time - even a short break can really help.

For more tips, look out for our future posts, or read more here: https://dementiacanterbury.org.nz/tips-for-managing-the-festive-season/

25/12/2025

21/12/2025

Our office will be closing at lunchtime on Tuesday 23 December and will be reopening at 8:30am on Monday 5 January 2026.

If you need support over this time, your best contact will be your GP, or in an emergency, please call the Acute Resolution Centre at Older Person's Health on 0800 920 092.

20/12/2025

We've put together some tips for this festive season if you or someone you know is caring for someone with dementia-mate wareware.

𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰:
The festive season can be joyful and exhausting - especially when you’re caring for someone with dementia.

Keeping things simple and familiar can make a big difference. Changes in routine, busy gatherings, and high expectations can be overwhelming for someone with dementia and stressful for you.

It’s okay to:

- Scale back celebrations
- Say no to activities that may cause distress
- Ask others to help share the load
- Focus on what feels calm, safe, and manageable. Enjoyment matters more than perfection.

Look out for the next posts with more tips, or check out the link here: https://dementiacanterbury.org.nz/tips-for-managing-the-festive-season/

18/12/2025

Clients and care partners were out enjoying the last Guided Garden tours for the year. One group visited the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and the other group went to Mona Vale Garden Park.

Our Botanic Gardens volunteer guides Faye & Amama share their wealth of knowledge about the history of the gardens and park alongside interesting facts about the flowers and trees. We are very grateful for their help and support and for being such amazing guides.

We enjoyed finding all things red ‘a christmas colour’ in the Botanic Gardens. During the group we stopped and enjoyed a Christmas morning tea together which is always a great opportunity for connection.