Dementia Australia have welcomed the $2.2 billion investment in aged care reforms and dementia specific initiatives announced in Tuesday night’s federal budget.
Dementia Australia executive director of services, advocacy and research Dr Kaele Stokes said the budget was an important step forward to improving the quality of care for people living with dementia, their families and carers.
“We welcome the continuing progress made by the Albanese Government in keeping dementia at the forefront by addressing key recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety,” Dr Stokes said.
“We also acknowledge the Government’s recognition of the need for a health system that can accommodate developments in biomarkers and disease-modifying therapies for dementia.” Other dementia specific measures in the budget include:$56.8 million for the expansion of the Commonwealth’s Acute to Residential Care Transition Service dementia program; $30.4 million to states and territories to continue to deliver the Specialist Dementia Care Program and $1.7 million for the Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT) for system readiness.
“Given there are more than 421,000 people living with all forms of dementia in Australia we are committed to continuing to work with the Government to ensure the experiences of people impacted by dementia remain central to the design and roll out of these and future aged care reforms,” Dr Stokes said.
It’s estimated that more than 421,000 Australians are living with dementia and more than 1.6 million people are involved in caring for them.
For support, 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 the website.
Details: dementia.org.au
