27 June 2017

Media: Newsroom

Topic: Dementia friendly initiatives

Inquiry

I'm currently writing a story on the dementia-friendly initiatives that are occurring in Rotorua.

I was interested in gaining the perspective of Rotorua Lakes Council and why they have pursued these ideas and was wondering if there was anyone available for a phone call today or later in the week regarding this?

Below are my questions, if Merepeka wants to add anything else that I may have missed she is welcome to.

1. Why has Rotorua Lakes Council pursued the idea of the dementia-friendly community?

2. What does a dementia-friendly community mean to the team at Rotorua Lakes Council?

3. Why did you find it important to address an ageing community within Rotorua?

4. Why is it important to address dementia at a community level as well as at an individual level?

5. When did Rotorua Lakes Council first launch the idea of creating a dementia-friendly community, what was the starting point?

6. Has there been large community response to the work you are doing?

7. There have been various events that support dementia including the Affinity Light Sculpture and the Christmas carol service. What are the highlights of these events?

8. What is Rotorua Lakes Council looking at doing in the future in creating a dementia-friendly community?

9. Do you want to see the work you are doing here regarding dementia-friendly communities adopted throughout New Zealand?

10. What more should kiwis be doing in regards to dementia?

Response

Councillor Merepeka Raukawa-Tait as the People Portfolio Lead was interviewed by Newsroom.