Young Onset Dementia Collective
Young Onset Dementia Carers Collective was formed by a group of wives, husbands, partners looking to improve the lives of people living with younger onset dementia.
Younger Onset Dementia is used to describe any form of dementia that develops in people under the age of 65. Dementia has been diagnosed in people in their 50s, 40s and even in their 30s. It is sometimes called early onset dementia.
Between 5 and 10% of all people with dementia are under the age of 65. Younger people experience different symptoms to older people and the impact on their lives is likely to be significantly greater. Many are still working, have young families and financial commitments.
If we really want to do right by people with dementia, we have to care for the carers.
The Young Onset Dementia Collective looks to:
- fill service gaps specifically for younger people living with dementia with age-appropriate opportunity and care.
- provide age-appropriate support and services keeping them connected with the community and each other
- provide necessary support for care partners
- provide opportunity for socialisation and engagement on a regular basis.
- provide opportunity to connect with each other with a focus on the wellbeing of people living with dementia and their carers.
The Young Onset Dementia Collective overall objectives are to:
- keep young onset people living dementia connected and active within their communities.
- provide opportunity for socialisation and wider visibility to help promote awareness and breakdown stigma associated with dementia, specifically young onset.
- To create a model of age-appropriate care for people living with young onset dementia that can be replicated nationally.
- To support and enable people with younger onset dementia to keep living their best life for as long as possible.
- To develop and nurture a pool of volunteers within local communities to support people living with younger onset dementia.
- To look towards a purpose-based age-appropriate facility for younger onset dementia day stay and ability to support overnight care within a safe and familiar environment with likeminded people which also provides much needed respite for carers.
DINING FOR DEMENTIA
Fundraiser for Younger Onset Dementia
EVENT NOW SOLD OUT – EMAIL US TO REGISTER INTEREST IN NEXT DINING FOR DEMENTIA EVENT: contact@yod.co.nz
Auckland chef and TV personality Ben Bayly has partnered with the Young Onset Dementia Collective in a fundraising initiative to help New Zealanders diagnosed with Younger Onset Dementia.
Image: Ben Bayly - credit Josh Griggs
Bayly, who is currently filming season 2 of A Restaurant That Makes Mistakes at his Auckland restaurant, Origine, was so moved by the volunteers’ and carers’ stories from both seasons he wanted to do more and as a result, the concept of Dining For Dementia was born.
The inaugural fundraising event will take place on Sunday June 9 at Origine, Bayly’s Commercial Bay bistro on Auckland's waterfront, serving the best of New Zealand produce, inspired by classic French techniques.
The Walk & Fork Autumn Feast menu includes dishes adapted from the current Tasting Menu including Baby baguette, lightly salted cultured butter; Freshly shucked natural Te Matuku oysters with meyer lemon; Pāua & Blue Cod pie; Duck & black truffle parfait, Sauternes jelly, brioche; Shaved cold-smoked salmon, New Zealand citrus, créme fraiÌ‚che & chives; Braised lamb shank bourguignon, fricassée of garden leeks, potato purée and to finish, Origine’s Chocolate eclair.
Tickets for the Walk & Fork standing event are $89 per person.
The event is on Sunday 9th June at Origine 5.00pm to 7:00pm. Producers, Great Southern TV will be filming the event with 100% of the net profit raised from the ticket price on the night going to Dining for Dementia. Origine will then match that amount.
Funds raised will be used to directly improve the lives of people living with younger onset dementia and indirectly having a positive impact on the lives of their carers.
Bayly, who lost his grandmother Joan to dementia, says for him, it’s about the volunteers and others living with dementia, and their carers, having a life beyond the show.
“How do we keep this conversation going and how does The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes have an impact beyond the show? The families are really struggling and there are not a lot of places for people with young onset dementia to go to interact”, he says.
“While we’re the first to launch a Dining For Dementia fundraiser, this could go nationwide with the help of other hospitality supporters. It is my hope that other restaurants around the motu will come on board and host their own Dining For Dementia events, fundraisers, or dinners."
The Young Onset Dementia Collective spokesperson Anne Logan (pictured below with husband Innes) is the wife of Season 2 volunteer, Innes Logan. Only in his fifties, Innes once helmed a successful publishing company with Anne, before being diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer’s, a type of dementia.
“The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes and all involved have made hope possible. It’s been a hugely positive experience for those appearing in the show, their carers and immediate family.
“This is a condition that reaches out and takes the best from people and their families. We hope this will be the first of many more ongoing events that will help provide resources for people living with young onset dementia and their loved ones”, she says.
With special thanks to the generous support of Origine’s suppliers and producers, for contributing to this wonderful cause: Huia wines, Chatham Island Seafood Company, Akaroa Salmon, Provenance Lamb.
Above images: Origine - Credit Josh Griggs
Image: Innes Logan & Ben Bayly at Origine - Credit Tez Mercer
Image: Canvas magazine feature 12/06/2024
