Dementia Australia welcomes pay increase for aged care staff
Dementia Australia welcomes the Fair Work Commission’s decision to award a pay increase to aged care workers.
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe AM said this is an important step in recognising how crucial aged care staff are to the wellbeing of people living with dementia.
“While pay and conditions for aged care workers are a vital part of a healthy aged care workforce, equally important is investing in the skills they have to support people living with dementia,” Ms McCabe said.
“Ensuring a minimum level of compulsory dementia care education across the entire workforce must remain a priority in the ongoing aged care reform process.
“With more than two-thirds of aged care residents living with moderate to severe cognitive impairment and 2 in 3 people with dementia thought to be living in the community, dementia care must be core business for aged care and all staff must be appropriately trained in dementia care.
“Dementia education 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.
“We know from our work and broad consultation with people living with dementia, their families and carers, that if we get quality care right for people living with dementia, then there will be quality care for all.
“We commend the Federal Government for delivering last year’s 15 per cent pay increase for aged care workers and their commitment to providing funding to deliver a high standard of care for older Australians.
“Dementia Australia looks forward to continuing to work with the government and the aged care sector to ensure all staff are appropriately trained and supported to deliver quality care to people living with dementia.”
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, Media & Communications Manager, 0447 253 583 or Gabrielle.Prabhu@dementia.org.au
When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia-Friendly Language Guidelines.
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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.