Dementia Australia welcomes $200 million investment in dementia care, keen to work through detail of NDIS changes
Dementia Australia welcomes the Federal Government’s investment of $200 million for a further 20 Specialist Dementia Care Program units and an expansion of the Hospital to Aged Care Dementia Support Program.
We also applaud the Federal Government’s decision to respond to community and sector feedback by reclassifying showering, dressing and continence management as clinical care under Support at Home. This means older Australians will now have the full cost of these services covered.
While other elements of home care – respite, social support and assistive technology – are still live issues for many people, this reclassification represents an important step change in the design and implementation of home care.
Dr Kaele Stokes, Executive Director Services, Engagement and Research, Dementia Australia said there are an estimated 446,500 Australians living with dementia. With two in three of these people thought to be living in the community, support for essential personal care tasks like showering must be accessible to everyone.
“We cannot have people living with dementia avoiding accessing support for personal care because of cost,” Dr Stokes said.
“If people do not use these services when they need them it can result in significant downstream impacts, such as admissions to already overburdened acute health and residential aged care.”
Dementia Australia also welcomes investment in new residential aged care places as well as new Specialist Dementia Care Program units and an expansion of the Hospital to Aged Care Dementia Support Program.
“We know that people living with dementia are disproportionally impacted when demand for limited care places is high,” Dr Stokes said.
“The number of Australians living with dementia is expected to increase to more than one million by 2065, so it is critical that care right across the spectrum is available.”
Dr Stokes said whilst she is encouraged by today’s $200 million investment announcement and the changes to Support at Home, Dementia Australia will be looking carefully into the wide-ranging NDIS changes also announced.
“Dementia Australia recognises the Government’s commitment to ensuring the long term sustainability of the NDIS scheme,” Dr Stokes said.
“It is too early to fully understand how these changes could impact people living with young onset dementia and their families. Dementia Australia will carefully consider the announced measures as more information becomes available.
"It will be particularly important that the new eligibility arrangements announced do not disadvantage people living with young onset dementia where functional capacity can fluctuate but care needs progressively increase over time.
"Dementia Australia welcomes the Government’s commitment to consultation as reforms are developed and implemented.
"We support the need for a sustainable disability system and are keen to work collaboratively with the Government to ensure reforms are implemented in a way that recognises the unique nature of young onset dementia.”
-Ends-
Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 446,500 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: Andrea Hogan, Media and Communications Manager, 0406 904 118, Andrea.Hogan@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.