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Carers Hub
Welcome to the Home4All Carers Hub blog page, a valuable resource for support and guidance on the journey of caring for a loved one living with dementia. Here, you will find valuable insights, expert advice, and community stories designed to empower and assist you in your caregiving role. Whether you are new to caregiving or have years of experience, this blog is dedicated to providing you with the knowledge, tools, and encouragement you need to navigate your unique caregiving journey with confidence and compassion.
All posts
New Look, Same Heart: Why We’re Changing Our Logo
At Home4All, we believe that growth is a journey. With the stepping down of our founders and the appointment of our new General Manager, we are entering a new and exciting phase. This is why we realised it was also time for our visual identity to catch up with who we've grown into. Here is the story behind our new look.
Jan Weststrate
3 days ago2 min read
She Carried Little Stars
Six years ago, while navigating the challenges of New Zealand's bureaucracy, we started a green care farm in our home, inspired by Dutch models of care for people living with mild dementia.
One experience in particular has stayed with me.
Marian Weststrate
3 days ago3 min read
One Size Doesn't Fit All - Why People Living with Dementia Need Choices
In Aotearoa New Zealand, people with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia are usually offered just one funded support option: the traditional adult day activity programme. These programmes work well for many, however, no single model can meet the diverse needs of everyone living with dementia, yet it's currently the only publicly supported option.
Jan Weststrate
Apr 102 min read
Public Perception of Dementia Survey
Dementia is a part of our everyday lives. Since 2020, the number of individuals living with dementia has risen significantly. By 2030, it's anticipated that 100,000 people in New Zealand will be living with this condition. This growing presence means that engaging with those who live with dementia is becoming an integral part of our community interactions.
We warmly invite you to participate in our survey, which seeks to understand how people perceive dementia and those livi
Jan Weststrate
Mar 301 min read
2025 Survey Results
In September last year, Home4All invited individuals living on the Kāpiti Coast who care for people with dementia to take part in our survey. Please find the final report here.
Jan Weststrate
Mar 272 min read
Do People Living with Dementia Deserve to Live a Good Life?
When we give this some thought, our immediate response is: "Of course, every human being deserves a good life!" But what exactly does a good life entail, and is it achievable for those living with dementia?
Jan Weststrate
Mar 174 min read
Walking the fine line between safety and freedom
Caring for someone with dementia often means walking a tightrope between keeping them safe and allowing them space to live freely. For many families, that tension is uncomfortable and deeply personal.
In the Netherlands, care homes have been required since 2020 to move towards an open door policy. This is a process that takes careful preparation. Now, one care home is finally taking that next step by opening the locked doors of its dementia unit.
Ellen van Dijken
Mar 105 min read
Fun Run Raising Awareness for Dementia
This is an article featured in the 18th February 2026 edition of the Kāpiti News. Huge thanks to Caty for sponsoring Home4All with the Fun Run, we hope to see you there!
Shania McSorley
Mar 24 min read
How to Stay Cognitively Unimpaired as an Older Adult
In New Zealand and internationally, brain health has become an important topic of attention. Many dementia organisations in New Zealand provide information on how we can keep our brains healthy to prevent cognitive decline/dementia.
Jan Weststrate
Nov 18, 20253 min read
Book Review: The Unexpected Journey
In "The Unexpected Journey" Emma Heming Willis offers a poignant and deeply personal narrative that delves into the complexities of caring for a loved one with dementia.
Jan Weststrate
Oct 28, 20252 min read
Anticipatory Grief
Caring for a loved one with dementia is often compared to running a marathon. After being diagnosed, the life expectancy ranges from 5 to 10 years, depending on the type of dementia. This makes caregiving particularly challenging, as you witness a gradual decline without the ability to halt it. The emotional journey of caring 24/7 for someone living with dementia is raw and intense. Care partners experience a unique form of grief, mourning the gradual loss of their loved one
Jan Weststrate
Oct 21, 20254 min read
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