Dementia Australia welcomes the budget measures directed at monitoring dementia data nationally, implementing aged care reforms and making communities more inclusive for people with a disability including dementia. However, as the peak body, Dementia Australia is disappointed not to see funding that is urgently needed to reduce the impact of dementia, which will soon be the leading cause of death for all Australians.
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said significantly more funding is needed to reduce the impact of dementia on all Australians of all ages.
“With an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia and an estimated 29,000 people living with younger onset dementia – dementia is the public health, disability and aged care challenge facing Australia,” Professor Buchanan said.
“The National Dementia Action Plan requires funding if we are to see it have an impact. The lack of funding to implement this Plan has a real impact on people living with dementia, their families and carers.
“Dementia Australia encourages all parties, independents and candidates to consider how they can support actions to reduce the impact of dementia.”
Dementia Australia has been calling for funding for three critical initiatives to reduce the impact of dementia for all Australians. They are:
- Launching a national conversation on dementia to raise awareness of the condition and to promote brain health.
- Establishing a team of dementia specialist navigators within Dementia Australia to improve service support and access.
- Building the capability of the workforce to provide care and support for people living with dementia with training.
“Dementia Australia is looking forward to working with the next government to improve the lives of people of all ages impacted by all forms of dementia,” Professor Buchanan said.
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Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 433,300 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.7 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
Media contacts: Gabrielle Prabhu, 0447 253 583, gabrielle.prabhu@dementia.org.au
When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia-Friendly Language Guidelines.
Note to Editors:
We request, where possible, details for the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 appear alongside news stories about dementia, as these stories often prompt questions or concerns:
If this story has prompted any questions or concerns, please call the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 (24 hours, 7 days a week) or visit dementia.org.au.
