JANINE APPLEBY and TORI BENSEMANN - Improving Equity for Māori in Dementia Mata wareware diagnosis. The MANA Māori Assessment of Neurological Abilities : An introduction

Day

Date

Time

Presenter

Topic

Thurs

 15 2025

12.00pm

 Janine Appleby and tori Bensemann Improving Equity for Māori in Dementia Mate wareware diagnosis. The MANA Māori Assessment of Neurological Abilities: An introduction.
 Janine and Tori will discuss the Māori Assessment of Neuropsychological Ability (MANA) was developed in research led by Māori for Māori. A diagnostic tool embedded in values aligned with Te Ao and Tikanga Māori used in the assessment of symptoms and signs associated with cognitive impairment to assist in the diagnosis of mate wareware (dementia). The MANA tool empowers occupational therapists to provide culturally sensitive, accurate and timely assessment for Māori Whanau affected by dementia and delivering commitment to equitable care.

Janine is an experienced Occupational Therapist and Specialist in Dementia care of 30 years. Her current role is Senior Clinical Lead for the Waikato and Lakes regions. Janine’s interests are delivering a diverse range of services available to people living with a diagnosis of Dementia and their extended families, that enables and empowers people to capitalise on their strengths and capacity to live well through their unique Dementia journey.

Ko Tainui tōku waka, Ko Maungaroa tōku maunga, Ko Marokopa tōku awa, Ko Ngāti Maniapoto tōku iwi, Ko Ngāti Kinohaku, ko Ngāti Peehi, ko Ngāti te Kanawa raua ko Ngāti Huiao ōku hapū, Ko Mirumiru tōku marae, Kei te Whanganui ahau e noho ana, Ko Tori Bensemann tōku ingoa, Ko Adaline raua ko Briana ōku tamahine.

Tori is a Māori Occupational Therapist working in the Whanganui Region. Tori completed her Masters in Psychology with Auckland University in 2022, specialising in Mate wareware/Dementia and Occupational Identity. Tori has a keen passion and interest in people’s warewaretanga (dementia journey) and is currently working for the Whanganui Regional Health Network, offering services to people living with a diagnosis of dementia and their whānau.

          

Recording here