Friday 10 May 2019
The focus on dementia and aged care in Sydney this week at the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has reinforced Dementia Australia’s call for mandatory dementia-specific training for the aged care workforce, and for increases in staffing numbers with the appropriate skills mix.
Dementia Australia Chair, Professor Graeme Samuel AC said listening to the experiences shared by the witnesses has been harrowing.
Friday 3 May 2019
Dementia Australia applauds both the governments’ and the opposition’s commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of all Australians as outlined in recent policy announcements.
Maree McCabe, CEO Dementia Australia said the health focus so far in the federal election campaign is to be commended yet there is a glaring gap in the rhetoric and the needs of close to half a million people living with dementia have been largely ignored.
Wednesday 1 May 2019
In the lead up to the federal election, people living with dementia and carers are asking all Australians to call on their local Members of Parliament and candidates to make dementia a priority in their visions for Australia.
Dementia Australia Chair Prof Graeme Samuel AC said the prevalence of dementia is growing exponentially and Australia needs decisive action and national investment to ensure the outcomes for people living with dementia are adequately considered.
Wednesday 1 May 2019
Dementia Australia is calling on all political parties and candidates to make dementia a priority in their vision for Australia ahead of the upcoming federal election on 18 May.
Dementia Australia Chair Professor Graeme Samuel AC said the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is underway and presents a significant opportunity to transform the industry to make a profound and lasting difference to the lives of all people impacted by dementia.
Friday 5 April 2019
The commitment by Hon Bill Shorten MP, Leader of the Opposition to make Australia the best in the world at looking after people living with dementia, in last night’s 2019 Federal Budget Reply speech, will be welcomed by all Australians impacted by dementia.
Prof Graeme Samuel AC, Chair Dementia Australia said dementia is the chronic health condition of the 21st century.
Tuesday 2 April 2019
Maree McCabe, Dementia Australia CEO said the initiatives in the 2019 Federal Budget are a good start but they do not speak to the heart of the problem for people living with dementia, their families and carers – the need for recognition of dementia within the health, ageing and disability industry.
Friday 29 March 2019
On Neighbour Day, Sunday 31 March, Dementia Australia is calling for people to become a Dementia Friend and help combat social isolation and loneliness for people living with dementia, their families, and carers.
The theme for Neighbour Day 2019 is ‘Loneliness: What neighbours can do to create connections’.
Tuesday 26 March 2019
Dementia Australia welcomes the Federal Government’s release of a strengthened Charter of Rights that is applicable to residential aged care services and home care providers.
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said the Charter would further empower the new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and promote being treated with dignity.
Friday 22 March 2019
The spotlight on home care at the Royal Commission into Aged Care Safety and Quality this week is long overdue and will instil confidence in all people impacted by dementia that their voices are being heard.
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said the lack of visibility and accountability around the home care system has been a concern reported by advocates and our clients for many years.
Thursday 21 March 2019
American Montessori expert, Dr Cameron Camp, Director of Research and Development at the Centre for Applied Research in Dementia, will be in Australia this week for a series of sold-out master classes on holistic engagement of people living with dementia.
An internationally-known, research scientist in the field of ageing, Dr Camp said we look at dementia as a form of disability rather than as a disease.
Wednesday 20 March 2019
Dementia Australia has welcomed the Federal Government’s plan to support older Australians who are victims of abuse. The plan includes a national free call number.
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said that elder abuse in Australia is a serious issue that directly impacts the wellbeing of older Australians, especially those who are living with dementia.
Tuesday 19 March 2019
Dementia Australia today welcomed the Australian Greens policy release and their human rights based approach to aged care.
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said as the peak body our purpose is to advocate for the autonomy, independence and human rights of people living with dementia.
Thursday 14 March 2019
Dementia Australia is calling on all political parties in New South Wales to commit to tackling the dementia challenge ahead of the upcoming State election on 23 March.
The cost of dementia to the NSW economy is already significant and growing rapidly. In 2018, dementia was estimated to have cost NSW more than $4.9 billion, with an expected increase to more than $11 billion by 2026.
Friday 8 March 2019
Dementia Australia today acknowledged all women impacted by dementia for International Women’s Day.
Maree McCabe CEO Dementia Australia said today is an opportunity to honour the lifelong contribution of women of all ages, living with all forms of dementia and the many women involved in their care.
Friday 1 March 2019
Dementia Australia commends Palliative Care Australia and the Australian Government on the release of the updated National Palliative Care Strategy, which provides a road map for the future focus of palliative care services across Australia.
Friday 22 February 2019
Dementia Australia is encouraging all Australians to bust a move and vote for comedian Denise Scott who has selected Dementia Australia as her chosen charity on the new series of Dancing With The Stars.
Dementia is a cause close to Denise’s heart having cared for her mother Marg.
“Caring for my Mum was truly life changing,” Ms Scott said.
Tuesday 19 February 2019
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe addressed the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety in Adelaide today highlighting the impact of dementia in Australia - on Australians - and reinforced that dementia must be core business for aged care.
“Dementia is the chronic disease of the 21st century,” Ms McCabe said.
Tuesday 19 February 2019
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe will call for mandatory, dementia education for aged care workers in her appearance at the Royal Commission into Aged Care Safety and Quality in Adelaide today.
“With more than 50 per cent of people in residential aged care living with a diagnosis of dementia, it is essential that a minimum level of dementia specific training becomes a national prerequisite to work in aged care across all parts of the system,” Ms McCabe said.
Thursday 14 February 2019
Dementia Australia welcomes the launch of the Aged Care Diversity Framework action plans at Parliament House today by The Hon. Ken Wyatt AM MP, Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care.
Thursday 14 February 2019
Supporting expression of sexuality by older people with dementia in long-term care is just one of 17 new projects that will share in more than $1 million in grants to conduct ground-breaking dementia research.
Dr Cindy Jones from Bond University was awarded a $75,000 Dementia Australia Research Foundation Project Grant and will use the funding to develop the facilitation of care environments that are supportive of the verbalisation and expression of sexual preference, need and desire by people living with dementia.