What does BrainTree provide to the community?

Canterbury is not prepared for the growing number of people living with a neurological condition.

Getting older doesn’t cause neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s or Multiple Sclerosis, although it does increase the chances. Some people with these conditions are young, even in their 30s.

By 2043, a quarter of Canterbury’s population will be aged 65 or over, up from 15.2% in 2013. The number of South Islanders with Dementia alone is set to double within the next 20 years - to more than 30,000 people - that’s about the population of Timaru today.

Our purpose is to enable people with a neurological condition to keep living a life full of potential.

To date the focus has been on medical treatment and research towards a cure in the long term. Attention needs to now turn to how people can live well with a neurological condition in the here and now.

We’ll help people discover that there is still a lot of life to be lived after a diagnosis and that there are choices they can make to manage their condition their way, so that they can continue to live independently in their homes and communities.

BrainTree will support people and their whānau in 3 ways

Our evidence-based approach will help people discover what they can do for themselves

We’ll support and empower people with choices and the independence to manage their condition their way. We’ll work with people throughout their journey, continuing to innovate with evidence-based therapies and programmes to living well.

We’ll provide practical everyday support with a unique total-wellness approach

A total wellness approach will be adopted - covering exercise, diet, cognitive stimulation, education and social connection - which has been proven to have a hugely positive impact on the lives of those living with neurological conditions.

We’ll embrace care partners and whānau as an integral part of how we work

We understand that care partners and whānau are a vital part of providing those living with neurological conditions assistance, and are able to radically improve their quality of life through emotional and physical support.

Real-life stories of our support

Featured

Support Helps Families Cope with Dementia

Jen's mother and father were both diagnosed with dementia within a short time. She believes that every carer should access the support provided by Dementia Canterbury and the new Canterbury Brain Collective facility will enable more people to do this.

Gym Service Makes all the Difference for Couple with MS and Parkinson’s

After being diagnosed, Robin and Jan’s neurologist recommended they start attending the gym to increase their mobility and balance. They were referred to MS and Parkinson’s Canterbury and have both seen an improvement as a result of regular exercise.

Couple Encourages People to Seek Support with Dementia

Being diagnosed with dementia at 63 was an unexpected blow for Martin Todd and his family. His wife Lynda wishes that they’d asked for help sooner and wants to encourage other families to utilise what’s available.