Dementia Australia | Media Releases

Australian dementia innovation on showcase in Los Angeles

Friday 12 July 2019

Innovative Dementia Australia technology solutions helping to improve the lives of people living with dementia will be showcased at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Los Angeles next week.

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) is the world’s largest forum for the dementia research community and will provide Dementia Australia with the opportunity to demonstrate two of its technology-driven initiatives.

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East Metropolitan Health Service dementia-friendly plans recognised by Dementia Australia

11 July 2019

East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS) has officially been recognised as a ‘Working Towards Dementia-Friendly Organisation’ by Dementia Australia.

EMHS is the first metropolitan health service in Australia to be given this recognition.

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Dementia Australia grants $210,000 to support local dementia-friendly activities

11 July 2019

A total of $210,000 has been awarded in grants across 20 organisations to make their services and community more dementia-friendly and deliver local, tailored change appropriate to their communities.

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said the grants have the capacity to significantly and positively impact people living with dementia, their families and carers.

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More respite for carers in Victoria welcomed by Dementia Australia

Tuesday 2 July 2019

Dementia Australia welcomes the announcement by the Andrews Government that an additional 5,000 carers in Victoria will be able to access 100,000 hours of respite each year.

Dementia Australia CEO Ms Maree McCabe said that the role of a carer is often critical for a loved one with dementia to continue to live in the community and is becoming increasingly important as dementia prevalence rates continue to rise.

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Dementia peak body welcomes the appointment of Robert Fitzgerald AM as NSW’s Ageing and Disability Commissioner

Monday 1 July 2019

Dementia Australia congratulates Robert Fitzgerald AM for his appointment as New South Wales’ first Ageing and Disability Commissioner.

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said it was excellent to see the New South Wales Government’s commitment to this new appointment, especially as the number of people living with dementia continues to rise.

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Dementia peak body welcomes new era of aged care rights and quality standards

Monday 1 July 2019

Dementia Australia welcomes the new Charter of Aged Care Rights and Aged Care Quality Standards, both come into effect as of today, as a reinforcement of the commitment by governments and the aged care industry to focus more strongly on consumer choice and engagement.

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said the new Charter and Standards would benefit people living with dementia, their families and carers.

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Dementia Australia calls for government action as list of older Australians waiting for home care grows

Friday 28 June 2019

Dementia Australia has urged the Federal Government to take action to better support the more than 129,000 older Australians who are waiting to receive home care packages.

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said as the prevalence of dementia continues to increase so does the need for home care packages.

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Culturally appropriate, person-centred care essential

Monday 24 June 2019

Dementia Australia is calling for the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety to reflect the need for culturally appropriate, person-centred care, where the services provided are sensitive to, respectful of, and responsive to, the preferences, needs and values of people from diverse backgrounds including those who care for them.

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Dementia peak body welcomes South Australian Government spending to improve health care outcomes

Friday 21 June 2019

Dementia Australia welcomes the South Australian Government’s budget announcement to allocate $537 million in additional funds to build a better health system.

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said it was excellent to see $69.1 million over the next four years allocated to the reactivation of the Repatriation General Hospital site, where planning continues for dementia care and older persons mental health services.

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New trial program in Perth to provide dedicated support for people with dementia

Thursday 20 June 2019

A new program to assist people living with dementia access vital support services and information is being trialled in Perth – one of just two dementia-specific trial sites in Australia. The Dementia Care Navigator Trial, delivered by Dementia Australia, aims to provide tailored information to identify and connect clients with appropriate support and services.

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Dementia peak body welcomes NSW Government spending to improve health care outcomes

Thursday 19 June 2019

Dementia Australia welcomes the New South Wales Government’s budget announcement to allocate additional funds to providing more nurses, doctors and other frontline health workers, and delivering new and upgraded hospitals.

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said it was excellent to see funding of more than $10 billion over the next four years on health infrastructure, as well as providing support for multicultural aged care homes across the state.

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Dementia Australia calls for people living with dementia to be a focus this World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Friday 14 June 2019

Dementia Australia is calling for people living with dementia to be a focus of this year’s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on 15 June.

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe says that elder abuse is a serious issue that impacts the wellbeing of a large number of older Australians, especially those who are living with dementia.

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Dementia peak body welcomes Australian Capital Territory Government attention to palliative care and acute aged care

Friday 14 June 2019

Dementia Australia welcomes the Australian Capital Territory Government’s budget announcement to spend additional funds on palliative care services and improved infrastructure for acute aged care.

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said it was excellent to see the investment of $2 million in palliative care services, as part of a $6 million investment over four years.

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Dementia Australia congratulates Ambassador Ita Buttrose on Queen’s Birthday Honour

Monday 10 June 2019

Dementia Australia congratulates long-time Ambassador, supporter and advocate Ita Buttrose, who today has been awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the Queen’s Birthday 2019 Honours for eminent service to the community through leadership in the media, the arts and the health sector, and as a role model.

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Dementia peak body welcomes Victorian Government allocation to multicultural aged care and palliative services

Friday 31 May 2019

Dementia Australia welcomes the Victorian Government’s budget announcement to spend additional funds on improving multicultural aged care facilities and palliative services.

Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said it was excellent to see the funding of $27.1 million to upgrade facilities at seven multicultural aged care services and to purchase land for three multicultural aged care providers for culturally and linguistically diverse Victorians get the care they need and deserve.

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Tasmanian budget an opportunity to reduce incidence of elder abuse of people living with dementia

Monday 27 May 2019

Dementia Australia acknowledges the Tasmanian State Government for its commitment of $850,000 to develop and implement a new strategy for the prevention of elder abuse.

Dementia Australia CEO, Ms Maree McCabe commends Tasmania’s state government for funding the new strategy as part of its 2019-20 budget.

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National dementia peak body looks forward to continued action on dementia across the Morrison ministry

Monday 27 May 2019

Dementia Australia welcomes the reappointment of The Hon Greg Hunt MP as Minister for Health and congratulates the new Ministers that will impact on dementia, including the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck.

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Dementia Australia volunteers making a world of difference

Monday 20 May 2019

Dementia Australia celebrates and thanks the many volunteers that contribute to making a ‘world of difference’ for the 447,000 people living with dementia this National Volunteers Week.

Two volunteers and friends that make a world of difference to Dementia Australia are Jill Edmondson and Dianne Hall.

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Discrimination to be the focus of Dementia Action Week in September

Thursday 16 May 2019

Discrimination experienced by people living with dementia, their families and carers will be the focus of this year’s national Dementia Action Week*, 16-22 September.

Dementia Australia CEO, Maree McCabe said the annual national awareness campaign will be centred around a national survey to inform and increase our understanding of the experiences and perspectives around discrimination, and what can be done to bring about positive change.

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Dementia Australia praises Labor’s commitment to improving the care of Australians living with dementia

Sunday 12 May 2019

Dementia Australia has welcomed Labor’s election commitment to improving the care of Australians living with dementia to be a national priority.

Dementia Australia Chair, Professor Graeme Samuel AC said the 447,000 Australians currently living with dementia and the 1.5 million people involved in their care will be heartened by the declared commitment to dementia by Mr Shorten today.

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