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Download AudioA leading health researcher is warning up to one in 10 Māori could contract mate wareware – or dementia – as they age, and existing services are inadequate.
Dr Makarena Dudley from the University of Auckland University Centre for Brain Research says that’s the ratio identified in a new United States study, and at the moment she can’t see why it would be different here.
She’s part of a major study which will include extensive door knocking to figure out how much undiagnosed dementia there is out in the community.
She says most services are targeted for Pakeha.
“A lot of our Maori health organisations, they have services for children, for rangatahi, for other take, but there don’t seem to be a lot of services that cater for this particular condition but as it’s bnecoming more and morte of an issue, I think that’s what we need to look towards providing those kinds of services,” Dr Dudley says.
She says looking after a relative with mate wareware at home, and many whanau would prefer, can create an intolerable financial burden.
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