Dr Makarena Dudley from Auckland University's Centre for Brain Research has helped develop an app to help Maori affected by dementia / mate wareware and to raise awareness of the disease. Photo: supplied
Too many rural Māori whanau are caring for loved ones with dementia -- or mate wareware - without support, diagnosis or the information they need, according to two leading brain researchers. Sir Richard Faull, director of the Centre for Brain Research at the University of Auckland, and deputy director, Māori, Dr Makarena Dudley, say Māori and Pacific people are affected by dementia more than any other group. They are travelling around the country visiting marae sharing information and hearing stories. So far they've held hui at marae in the Far North and Whanganui, and more are planned. They tell Kathryn Ryan, there is great need for support in rural communities.
