Stress, tiredness and juggling many roles can contribute to bad memory, but for almost 70,000 New Zealanders memory loss is part of living with dementia.
Alzheimer’s Otago community educator Lynne Symons is based at Community House in Alexandra, from where she works with people with dementia and their families.
She has been in role since November, providing education and support around all aspects of dementia and memory loss for those with it and the wider community.
"I walk alongside people and their families who are living with dementia," she said.
Dementia was an umbrella term for a group of symptoms caused by conditions that affect the way the brain works.
The first one most people thought of was Alzheimer’s disease but there were other diseases that caused dementia symptoms.
Dementia was not a normal part of ageing, but the diseases that caused it became more common in people over-65.
What caused those diseases was the billion-dollar question, Ms Symons said.
"We still don’t know 100%."
There were theories about plaques tangling in the brain but the massive amounts of research and funding dedicated to finding a cause had yet to be definitive, she said.
Not medically trained, her knowledge was around living with dementia — the conditions, symptoms and life changes that came with it.
People could come to Ms Symons for help if they were concerned about memory loss, altered behaviour, or any other cognitive changes, she said.
Much was unknown and information was rapidly changing, but helping people live their best life with dementia was her goal.
"It is possible to live a happy and fulfilling life with dementia."
Support for partners and family members living with someone with dementia was a key part of her role, she said.
She leads support groups in Alexandra and Cromwell for people caring for someone with dementia.
Being able to talk with other people going through the same thing was invaluable, both to be able to honestly share their experiences and learn from others.
"At the end of the day they are home alone with that person."
Carers were often still working or helping care for grandchildren and had to to manage that, while considering their future life if their partner had to go into care.
While it was so important carers had time to themselves, the reality was finding someone to care for their loved one made that difficult, she said.
There were formal groups for people with dementia, but they had limited spaces.
A coffee group for people with dementia and their carers was held at Community House on alternate Mondays.
Softly spoken, still with a strong Lancashire accent, Ms Symons and her partner Simon Graves, came first to Tauranga looking for adventure in 2009.
She had backpacked here, but Mr Graves had never been. They moved to Central Otago in 2022 with their two young daughters, who were born in New Zealand, looking for another adventure.
The community educator role spoke to her as soon as she saw it advertised, Ms Symons said.
Her grandfather was living with dementia when he died and a close family friend was living with dementia. She had been working and volunteering with disabled people before taking the position. It was all a long way from her first career in planning.
"I really enjoy working with people who experience the world differently."
