Dementia in Māori - optimising care

Understanding and incorporating Māori world views of health care in a dementia setting with inclusive development of pathways promotes a Māori responsive approach. Dr Makarena Dudley will discuss her recent research into constructs of Mate ware ware (becoming forgetful and unwell) from a Māori understanding of dementia.

Patient resources

Dementia Health Navigator NZ
Living with dementia help sheets Dementia Australia
Alzheimers New Zealand
Dementia NZ
Carers NZ
Age Concern NZ

Topics

Why are Maori significantly younger when diagnosis of dementia is made?
What is the definition of mate ware ware?
Why should language and labelling always be a consideration?
The four pillars of Māori health
Keeping Kaumatua active in their cultural roles.

Take home messages

Māori are often diagnosed later than others, consider screening earlier
Get whanau involved early
Language is important when discussing dementia in Māori
Consider all four pillars of Māori health
Keep the language alive. Using Te Reo has been shown to be useful linking the patient to their past.

Resources

Mate wareware: Understanding ‘dementia’ from a Māori perspective NZMJ (2019)
Dementia care for Māori Goodfellow short course (2019)
Dementia Goodfellow short course (2017)
Dementia: Te Ao Māori HQSC NZ
Dementia:Te Ao Māori by Margaret Dudley YouTube (28.49 mins) (2018)

Presenter

Dr Makarena Dudley

Psychologist

Dr Makarena Dudley is a psychologist who works at the University of Auckland. She teaches cultural competence and co-ordinates cultural input on the Clinical Psychology doctoral programme, also teaching neuropsychology at undergraduate level. She is interested in cognition and the ageing brain, and lead a large research project to develop a theory and diagnostic tool for dementia in Māori. A strong advocate of increasing Māori workforce capacity in the mental health sector where Māori are disproportionately represented as mental health service users.