40 national <strong>Grey</strong>power mAGAZINE » june <strong>2016</strong>
national <strong>Grey</strong>power mAGAZINE » june <strong>2016</strong> 41 Global expert in dementia care talks about dementia-friendly cities International expert in dementia care, Professor Graham Stokes, believes more needs to be done to raise awareness and understanding of dementia – a disease that is set to double in the next 35 years. While visiting New Zealand Professor Stokes presented on the topic at various public talks that promised to provide guests with an understanding of the challenges communities are faced with in supporting those with dementia out in the community. With ageing populations worldwide and the numbers of people living with dementia set to rise everywhere, but most of all in low and middle income countries [i] , dementia truly is a global challenge. This year marks a critical stage in the journey towards a future where people understand dementia – currently affecting 44 million people worldwide – including how they can reduce their risk of the disease, and that those living with dementia are able to live well. By 2050, 147,359 New Zealanders will have dementia – more than 2.6 percent of the population, and more than triple current numbers. Of the total, 87,145 (59%) will be female and 60,214 (41%) male. Annual incidences (onset) of dementia will also more than triple, to 41,088 new cases by the year 2050[ii]. Fortunately, the journey has already begun. Faced with the social and economic challenge of ageing populations, and the fact that more people will never fully retire from the workplace or duties of care, we have a global need for a dementia friendly society. Professor Graham Stokes, global director of Dementia Care at Bupa, an author and clinician who is also an internationally recognised authority on dementia care practice and policy, clarifies the current situation: “As we address dementia today and also in the future, we need to put the person they are at the centre of their care - treat people living with dementia as unique individuals, understanding who they are, their “Never Too Old”: Lifelong learning at the University of Canterbury The University of Canterbury has appointed Dr Jeffrey Paparoa Holman as a lifelong learning coordinator in the Faculty of Arts to work with those over 55 years of age: Mature students and those of us in retirement. Dr Holman, 68, returned to study at the age of 50 in 1997 to complete an unfinished Bachelors’ degree from the 1970s. Even with previous experience of university life, he was nervous about starting again. “It was more than 25 years ago: What if my brain wasn’t up to it now?” Taking the plunge, he went on to complete a degree in English Honours with a Graduate Diploma of Arts in Maori and finally a doctorate in Maori Studies.” “Study has changed my life, it has opened doors I life story, and the reality in which they are living.” One of the biggest issues is making dementia relevant and addressing public misconception, fear and stigma. “People are living longer and countries having to cope with rapidly ageing populations. “At the moment, only around half of people living with dementia in high-income countries actually get a diagnosis. Jeffrey Paparoa Holman could never have imagined. I have travelled widely both in New Zealand and overseas and I have managed to publish books with skills learned here at Canterbury.” “Opportunity cost, opportunity lost,” he says. “The opportunity cost of a choice is what we give up to get it. University study changed all that for me and you can enjoy its benefits. We are never, ever, too old.” He knows about fear of failure; university can seem like a foreign country where they speak a different language. Yet many “In developing countries, it’s only around ten percent. While these numbers should improve slightly in the next few decades, the reality is that countries with emerging economies will have huge numbers of people living with dementia, of which the vast majority will remain undiagnosed. “This puts an enormous strain on families and communities, as they won’t have access to the support they need,” said Professor Stokes. One of the biggest issues is making dementia relevant and addressing public misconception, fear and stigma. In doing this, the dementia challenge must be seen as relevant to everyone, whether schoolteacher, employer, carer, managing physician or nurse. Professor Stokes is a clinical psychologist who has been working in the field of dementia care for three decades. He has been instrumental in leading person-centred approaches to care in his field. His research interests lie in understanding and resolving challenging behaviour in dementia and helping people with dementia live the mature students come into study and succeed. Many in their sixties, seventies and even eighties, come to Canterbury and take degrees, certificates and courses for credit. “We have a whole range of options now”, he says. “We elders are smart, we’re experienced and we know how to apply ourselves after a working life.” There is also a Dean’s Award to students in the above age range who have not been enrolled at the university in the past five years. The Faculty offers a significant course fee reduction in Arts courses in the first year of study: “Students over the age of 55 may qualify for a College best lives they can. According to Professor Stokes, many people believe dementia will strike later in life, however, people can begin developing the disease in their mid-40s. While improving our ability for early diagnosis is a priority, it’s also important for the community to learn how to support people with dementia. You’re never too old Advertorial Award for undergraduate study commencing semester one <strong>2016</strong>. Successful applicants receive 50 percent off their first enrolment for up to 120 points of courses in <strong>2016</strong>.” More detail on enrolment and courses can be found on this link for Lifelong Learning on the University’s website: http://www.arts.canterbury. ac.nz/lifelonglearning/ Happy to hear from you, Jeffrey can be contacted at the University: Dr Jeffrey Paparoa Holman Lifelong Learning Co-ordinator University of Canterbury 03 364 2987 ext 7643 Mobile 021 183 9833 Email: jeffrey.holman@ canterbury.ac.nz Voluntary Euthanasia Society NZ Become a member to help legalise medically assisted dying for the terminally ill or those with unbearable suffering. Go to our website www.ves.org.nz to find more information and join a branch in your area. Central office: Telephone (09 215 4964) PO Box 89046, Torbay, Auckland 0742. Whether you are interested in ancient civilisations, local or world history, literature, languages, politics, or philosophy, UC Arts has courses that will inspire and invigorate your mind. Students over the age of 55 may qualify for a Lifelong Learning College Award for undergraduate study in <strong>2016</strong>. Successful applicants receive 50% off their first enrolment. To apply for a Lifelong Learning College Award email artsdegreeadvice@canterbury.ac.nz www.arts.canterbury.ac.nz/lifelonglearning