Photo: RNZA Wānaka man caring for his 65-year-old wife, who has dementia, has called on the government to explain what it plans to do about the "desperate shortage" of dementia-level care facilities in the southern regions. While Wānaka had a dementia-level care facility, it was full and had a long waiting list. "I can’t put myself in her place except to say that clearly, that’s the most unsatisfactory thing for someone to be housed and homed in a situation that’s far removed from all her social supports." The district is estimated to have about 500 people living with dementia and, based on projections, it is estimated about 630 people will be living with dementia in the area by 2050. He recently wrote a letter to Minister of Mental Health Matt Doocey about the increasing number of people with dementia in the regions and the shortage of dementia-level care.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 04, 2026 15:37 UTC