Dementia Australia welcomes the release of the Aged Care Taskforce’s Final Report, which delivers 23 recommendations to improve the sustainability of aged care.
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe AM welcomed the breath of recommendations highlighted in the report. The recommendations that the Taskforce have made are designed to secure a sustainable aged care system that provides high quality care for all recipients of aged care including dementia care well into the future.
“There are more than 421,000 people living with dementia in Australia. With this high prevalence, funding arrangements must ensure that the system can deliver quality dementia care regardless of where the care is received – both at home and in residential aged care settings,” Ms McCabe said.
“An aged care funding model must enable the delivery of quality, individualised care to older people with dementia, empowering them in their choices and upholding their human rights.
“It also needs to ensure that regardless of the care setting, people living with dementia receive safe and appropriate care delivered by a skilled workforce.
"We know dementia education by a skilled workforce leads to fewer high-risk incidents, lower rates of inappropriate use of medication and more positive staff attitudes and morale, which ultimately results in better service delivery and quality of life for people living with dementia.”
One of the recommendations in the report includes making aged care fees fairer, simpler and more transparent so people can understand the costs they will incur if they access aged care.
“The current funding arrangements are complex and we expect this recommendation, if adopted, will assist people in understanding aged care costs,” Ms McCabe said.
“We look forward to the Federal Government’s response to the Taskforce report and we thank the Taskforce for the work they have done in service of all recipients of aged care services and our community.”
The report can be viewed here.
Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 421,000 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.6 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.
For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au
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Media contacts: Gabrielle Prabhu 0447 253 583 gabrielle.prabhu@dementia.org.au
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