A new book is being released on Friday to help people understand how to cope with others suffering from dementia.
Dementia affects over 60,000 New Zealanders - a number likely to triple by 2050.
Author Angela Caughey told The AM Show people tend to turn their backs on the chronic illness.
"Tell anyone you've got dementia and they cringe, they avoid you and they go away."
The book, How To Communicate With Someone Who Has Dementia, tackles the stigma head-on.
Watch The AM Show's full interview with Angela Caughey.
