While there are specialist residential services for people with dementia, many are cared for at home by family members – often, as in this case, an elderly spouse. When this photograph was taken in 2010, Bev (76) had been suffering from dementia for three years, and had been cared for at home by her husband, John (85). Her dementia had been severe for the previous year: she suffered memory loss and occasional hallucinations. The couple praised support services but commented that reactions from family members were sometimes difficult to deal with.
Listen to geriatrician Maree Todd respond to the question of when to seek help when caring for a family member with dementia.
Soundfile courtesy of Family Care Radio.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
by Peter McIntosh
Permission of the Otago Daily Times must be obtained before any re-use of this image.