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Alzheimers Society Northland
Services the Alzheimers Society provides include Home Visits, Rural Day Centre, Support Groups and Seminars. Please contact the Society for further information on support services available. All contact will be kept strictly confidential. We have offices in Whangarei, Kerikeri and Kaitaia.
We have four Community Advisors. Two of them work in the Far North, Ria Leef-Smith, who covers the area from Cape Reinga to Kawakawa and the Hokianga, and Lizzi Hulbert who covers the area from Kawakawa to Kaeo and from Kaikohe to Paihia.
Rural Mobile Day Care
The Alzheimers Society Northland Inc realised that people living in rural areas did not have the resource of a Day Care facility available to them. The Society has staff who provide supervision and activities to people with dementia.
‘Alz Club’ provides a “fun day out” for the person with dementia and a “day off” for the Caregiver.
Please contact our Community Advisors for details on referring to this service.
Carer Education Seminars
Alzheimers Society Northland Carer Education Seminars are designed to give the Home Carer an understanding of dementia, some of the problems they may encounter and ways of coping with them and the many other changes they and their loved one may be experiencing.
Please contact the office for details of when the next Seminar will be held in your area.
The values of Alzheimers Society Northland (Inc.) are: Accessibility, Leadership, Zest, Holistic approach, Equality, Inclusion, Motivation, Empathy, Respect and Support.
Contact Details
Other Offices
Alzheimers Kerikeri Office
Kingston House
123 Hone Heke Road
Kerikeri
Phone: 09 407 3010
Free Phone: 0800 004 001
Alzheimers Kaitaia Office
Kaitaia Community House
12 Puckey Ave
Kaitaia
Phone: 09 408 1123
Free phone: 0800 004 001
Main Office
Physical Address
321 Western Hills Drive
Whangarei
Postal Address
PO Box 1179
Whangarei
Telephone
09 438 7771
Freephone 0800 004 001
Email Address
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Website Address
Key Contacts
Ria Leef-Smith
Community Advisor - Maori Focus
I have been working for the Alzheimers Society for four years, having worked with the elderly in various capacities for most of my working life.
My main focus is offering information and support to families, travelling the dementia journey. I run Seminars, Support Groups and give talks to community groups.
A large part of my role is to support and empower our Maori whanau. I cover the area from Cape Reinga to the Hokianga.
0273 921 220
ria.leef-smith@alzheimers.org.nz
Anne Wilson
Community Advisor
I have been part of the Alzheimers Society here in Northland for fourteen years now and my role within the Society is interesting and varied.
I home visit new referrals to provide information, education and support around initial diagnosis and the ongoing support services we provide. I also facilitate Support Group meetings for both care givers and those with dementia in several locations throughout the district.
The other part of my role is to provide education to any interested groups i.e. Rest Home Staff, Service Groups, Home Service Providers etc. and to speak to groups such as Lions, Rotary to raise the profile of the Alzheimers Society and the services we provide in the community.
I have a nursing background with 20 plus years experience in Rest Home and Hospital Elderly Care Services. My area is Whangarei City and environs, north to about Towai and the Kaipara District.
027 473 5702
anne.wilson@alzheimers.org.nz
Robyn Barr
Community Social Worker
I joined the Alzheimers Society Northland in April 2010. In my role as Community Social Worker I offer information and support to families through home visits, support groups in Mangawhai and Whangarei and education seminars for home based caregivers. I work with families from Te Hana to Dargaville and Hikurangi.
I have been a Social Worker for 20 years and also have a background in Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy.
027 408 3857
robyn.barr@alzheimers.org.nz
Lizzi Hulbert
Community Advisor
I joined the Alzheimer’s Society Northland in September 2010. I cover the mid-Northland area from Kawakawa to Kaeo and from Kaikohe to Paihia. I work Tuesday and Wednesday each week. Tuesday - visiting clients, and Wednesday I am based in Kerikeri where I run a monthly support group for carers and liaise with clients who live in that area, including those residing in the Kerikeri Retirement Village.
My background is in nursing. I was a district nurse for many years and then went on to work in hospices in London and Somerset. I recently worked as an RN at the Kerikeri Retirement Village and as a co-ordinator in the Day Care Alz Club there.
I am enjoying the challenge of my new role. As always, the Alzheimer’s clients and their carers who share their journey make the work humbling and rewarding.
021 585 337
randlhulbert@clear.net.nz
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