Our Forget-me-Not kaupapa addresses dementia, disabilities, mobility, and isolation issues for both kaumatua and their whanau throughout the rohe.

We are dedicated to ensuring that kaumatua feel seen, valued, supported and informed. We promote social connection, independence, and learning. We also help kaumatua and whanau navigate social and health services, particularly those with disabilities, mobility challenges, and isolation.

What we do

• Social and health service navigation
• Provide guidance with and access to health and social services, entitlements, appointments, understanding forms, referrals and options, etc.
• One on one assistance in a supportive setting with whānau.
• Social activities such as; arts and crafts sessions, social gatherings and group activities, trips away outings and more.
• Information and education days: Sessions with external providers such as legal planning sessions to discuss wills, power of attorney etc, alternative medicine practitioners, health checks and hauora information, understanding funerals and tangi and more.

Who We Support

• Kaumatua and seniors
• Those experiencing social isolation
• Older adults navigating complex health challenges and systems
• Whānau and kaiawhina needing help to navigate health and social services

Forget Me Not helps ensure that no one is forgotten, unheard, or faces challenges in silence. We believe every life, experience, and voice is important. When we remember, we empower. When we care, we change lives.

Before taking part in Forget Me Not, individuals were found to have experienced significant loneliness and isolation, to the point where they would not venture outside until family members could come by.
They are now able to participate in outings with others, which has had a profound impact, leading to the formation of genuine connections and friendships.

Why is Forget Me Not important?

Māori individuals are diagnosed with dementia at a much younger age compared to Pākehā and Pasifika individuals. On average, Māori are diagnosed 8 years earlier than Pākehā and 3 years earlier than Pasifika individuals, if they are diagnosed at all. The challenges faced by older Māori individuals living with dementia include significant equity issues.

These issues are exacerbated by factors such as limited access to culturally appropriate health services, as well as a lack of support for risk factors. Additionally, individuals living in rural areas experience geographic isolation from much-needed respite care, further compounding the difficulties faced by this demographic.