A claim dementia services have been clinging to the lifeboats

Alzheimers New Zealand says demand for services are up 165 percent in first three months of 2023 compared to the same period last year.

Chief Executive Catherine Hall says the services are underfunded and about to fall over.

Alzheimers Gisborne has just two staff, but really needs eight to operate properly.

Hall says dementia is a big problem, which will continue to grow.

She says the World Health Organisation has labelled it one of the biggest global health challenges for the next century.