Dementia North - Lakes

12/08/2026

⏰ Last chance to register

""Just because someone has a diagnosis of dementia doesn't mean they no longer want or need relationships."" – Ashley Roberts

Relationships, affection and intimacy remain important throughout life. Yet conversations about consent, changing behaviours and maintaining connection can feel difficult for families and professionals alike.

Join Dementia New Zealand's Winifred Henderson and dementia consultant Ashley Roberts as they explore these important topics and share practical guidance to help you respond with greater confidence.

📅 Friday, 14 August
⏰ 10.00am – 11.30am
💻 Online via Zoom

🎟 Free for care partners and whānau
🎟 $50 + GST for individual professionals

Can't join us live? Register anyway and we'll send you the recording afterwards.

👉 Register here:

Join us for part two of a two-part series hosted by Winifred Henderson, Senior Educator at Dementia New Zealand, as we navigate the complexities of Sexuality,

10/08/2026

If someone needs help with banking, it can be hard to know where to begin.

A good first step is to ask your bank what safe support options are available. This may help avoid informal arrangements, like sharing passwords or handing over cards, which can create risk.

You may also want to speak with a lawyer about Enduring Powers of Attorney and how future decisions can be managed safely.

Early planning gives people more time to choose who they trust, and to make sure their wishes are understood.

👉🏼 See our Money Month resources: https://dementia.nz/money-month/

06/08/2026

Banking can become harder when memory, planning or confidence changes.

Talking to your bank early can help you understand what support may be available. You might ask about:
🔹 Account alerts
🔹 Automatic payments
🔹 Trusted contacts
🔹 Safer ways for someone to support you
🔹 Options that make day-to-day banking easier

You don’t need to make every decision at once.

Dementia North can support you with dementia information and local services as you work through what to consider.

👉🏼 See New Zealand’s Money Month resources:

https://dementia.nz/money-month/

Need local dementia support? Contact Dementia North on 📞 0800 433 636

05/08/2026

🌿 Wednesday Wellbeing

Today's idea is simple: put on a song you loved when you were around 20 years old.

Music has a remarkable way of bringing back memories. A favourite song can spark conversations about friends, dances, road trips, first jobs, or places you haven't thought about in years.

There’s something special about hearing a familiar tune and being transported back to another time. You might find yourself singing along, sharing a story, or simply enjoying the memories it brings.

🎵 What song would be on your playlist?

04/08/2026

Many people living with dementia tell us they want to keep doing the things they enjoy.

That might be a stroll along the lakefront, a visit to the Redwoods, or simply getting out and about in the community.

The Safer Walking Network helps families plan ahead and reduce the risk of someone becoming lost, while still supporting independence.

It's a practical resource designed to help people stay active, connected and confident.

🔗 Find out more:

Are you, or someone you know, concerned about the risk of getting lost or going missing when out and about in the community? Safer Walking has solutions.

03/08/2026

August is Money Month. 💰

This year, New Zealand is sharing information to help people living with dementia | mate wareware, care partners and whānau think about money, legal planning and future decisions.

Across the Taupō / Lakes area, Dementia North provides local dementia information, education and support.

We do not provide financial advice, but we can help you understand dementia-related questions and find resources that may help. 💚

👉🏼 See Dementia New Zealand’s Money Month resources:

https://dementia.nz/money-month/

Need local dementia support? Contact Dementia North: 📞 0800 433 636

29/07/2026

🌿 Wednesday Wellbeing

A Walk With a Purpose

Instead of walking for exercise, try walking with something to look for.

Today it might be:
🌸 Flowers
🐦 Birds
🚪 Interesting front doors
🍂 Autumn leaves
🌳 Trees

Having a purpose can make a short walk feel more engaging and spark conversation along the way.

🚶 What would you look for?

28/07/2026

💬 "Just because someone has a diagnosis of dementia doesn't mean they no longer want or need relationships." – Ashley Roberts

Relationships, affection and intimacy remain important throughout life, including after a diagnosis of dementia | mate wareware.

In Part Two of this webinar series, dementia consultant Ashley Roberts and Dementia New Zealand educator Winifred Henderson will explore topics that many families and care partners find challenging, including consent, changing behaviours, dignity and maintaining meaningful relationships.

Whether you're supporting a loved one at home or working alongside someone living with dementia, this practical session will provide guidance to help you approach these conversations with greater confidence.

📅 Friday, 14 August
⏰ 10.00am–11.30am
💻 Online via Zoom

💚 Free for care partners and whānau
🎟 $50 + GST for individual professionals

Can't join live? Register anyway and you'll receive the recording afterwards.

👉 Register here: https://dementia.nz/events/dementia-talk-sexuality-intimacy-and-dementia-part-two/

Haven't seen Part One yet? No problem. You can watch the recording here:

Join us for part two of a two-part series hosted by Winifred Henderson, Senior Educator at Dementia New Zealand, as we navigate the complexities of Sexuality,

27/07/2026

From Rotorua to Taupō, our history is rich with stories.

And while we await the reopening of the Rotorua Museum in 2028, we can still explore our history from home.

From early tourism and lake life to local landmarks and community events, there are countless memories waiting to be rediscovered online.

Exploring old photographs and historical collections can be a simple way to spend time together while sparking conversation about places and experiences that feel familiar.

🔗 Browse collections from across Aotearoa: https://digitalnz.org

You might be surprised by what conversations these archives spark.

24/07/2026

When the weather turns cold, we're spending more time indoors.

If you're looking for something gentle to do together, RNZ's A Century of Stories is worth exploring.

The six-part series shares stories from around Aotearoa that may prompt memories, conversations and reflections about times gone by.

The first episode walks us through Ngā Tamatoa’s fight for te reo in schools and Dame Whina Cooper’s historic land march, among other trail-blazing stories.

Perfect for a quiet afternoon with a cup of tea ☕️

🎧 Listen here:

100 years of RNZ archival gold - curated by experts, unpacked by great minds.