Dementia

Dementia

• Dementia risk doubled in users of HRT - WHU July 2003
• Dementia - a women's health issue - WHU July 1997
• Services for people with dementia and their carers in the Auckland and Northern regions - WHU July 1997

Dementia risk doubled in users of HRT

July 2003 Women's Health Watch

Protection from Alzheimer's Disease was the sole remaining prevention promise of HRT but this too has disappeared. Results from the Women's Health Initiative Memory Study (WHIMS), a large randomised controlled trial involving 4532 healthy women free of probable dementia, contradict earlier observational trials which appeared to show a benefit from HRT in preventing Alzheimer's. The WHIMS found that in women 65 and over using combined HRT, there was double the risk of dementia, mainly of the Alzheimer's Disease variety. This means that for every 10,000 healthy, mentally competent women 65 or over using combined HRT there would be an added 23 cases of dementia over what would normally be expected. Evidence of the increased risk began to appear after one year of taking HRT. Quite a few women in the study stopped taking their medication and this can dilute the results. If only those women who adhered to treatment were studied, the risk was three times that of women who did not use HRT....Read More

Dementia - a women's health issue

July 1997 Women's Health Update

Dementia is an important but largely invisible women's health issue. In June the National Health Committee issued new guidelines for primary health care providers to assist with the support and management of people with dementia.

Nearly one quarter of people in their late eighties and 40% of people in their nineties are estimated to suffer from dementia. As 70% of over 85-year-olds are women, many more women than men are affected by this progressively debilitating syndrome.

On top of this, 80% of people with dementia are cared for at home and three-quarters of dementia carers are women, many of whom are themselves elderly. The National Health Committee's dementia guidelines say that 'within families there is an unspoken hierarchy of obligation to give care', headed by spouses, and followed (in order) by unmarried daughters, married daughters, daughters-in-law, sons and other kin....Read More

Services for people with dementia and their carers in the Auckland and Northern regions

July 1997 Women's Health Update

Specialist dementia assessment teams

Multidisciplinary teams providing clinical and needs assessment are located at:

• Auckland Healthcare: Health Services for the Elderly
• Waitemata Health: Health Services for Older People
• South Auckland Health: Health Services for the Elderly
• Northland Health: Health Services for the Elderly

These teams will refer a person for a specialist assessment if the diagnosis is more complex, where symptoms are causing acute stress or safety problems, or where there are difficult behavioural problems.

Public education

In Auckland, the Alzheimer's Foundation runs public seminars to inform people about Alzheimer's, and the Alzheimer's Society Counties/Manukau and Northland also provide education and support.

Carer support and information

The Alzheimer's Foundation runs six-session education courses specifically for carers in the central, West Auckland and North Shore areas. It also provides facilitated carer support groups which cover the Auckland region.

A package of three videos and matching books is available for families and friends of people with Alzheimer's. These cover Alzheimer's Disease, managing behaviourial problems and how carers can look after themselves. Contact the foundation for costs.

A 24-hour information line provides recorded information about Alzheimer's Disease, and the foundation has a big range of written and video resources.

Later in 1997 the foundation will be providing a training course for professionals, such as rest home staff, practice nurses and hospital staff, who are caring for people with dementia.

The Alzheimer's Foundation is at 14 Erson Ave, Royal Oak. Ph: 625 5280, Fax 624 1633

The Alzheimer's Society Counties/Manukau covers the Manukau, Franklin and Papakura districts. It provides services such as a telephone information service, support groups, counselling, home visits, befriender/sitter service, advocacy, newsletter, and a social group for people with dementia and their carers.

It is found at the Pakuranga Wellness Resource Centre at William Roberts Road, Pakuranga, PO Box 51291, Pakuranga. Phone and fax 576 7776

In Northland, the Alzheimer's Society (ADARDS) runs carer support educational courses as well as support groups.

Alzheimer's Society (ADARDS) Northland is at 71 Banks St, Whangarei. Phone 09-438 7771, Fax 09-438 9468

Specialist day care centres are available for carers in the North Health region who need a break.