You can make change happen

Imagine a world where every person living with dementia is treated with respect, awarded dignity, and had access to quality care provided by staff who understand dementia.

Now is our once in a generation opportunity to transform aged care, for the better for people impacted by dementia.

We have identified the changes that could be made to transform aged care for people living with dementia, which include embedding dementia-friendly design into aged care facilities, building capacity of staff with dementia-specific training, and creating a new and clearer single point of access for dementia-related support.

We have presented our solution to governments at all levels, including at a Parliamentary Friends of Dementia event this week. Supported by Federal Parliamentary Friends of Dementia co-conveners, Andrew Laming MP, Member for Bowman, and Senator Helen Polley, Senator for Tasmania we continue to share our solution which has been designed with people living with dementia over many years.

Helping us communicate the need for change were Dementia Advocates, Nell Hawe, Keith Davies and Peter Swindell. Whenever we meet with Members of Parliament we try to also invite a person living with dementia, or carer, who can share their lived experience. Personal stories really bring home the need for change.

You can also help us. You can make change.

At dementia.org.au/get-involved you can find a range of resources to help you engage with your local Member of Parliament. This includes key facts you can refer to, what to say when you call or email your local MP, some suggested words when you call talkback radio.

Your local politician represents you and to effectively do this they need to know about the issues that are most important to you and your community.

As the Federal Government considers the Final Report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, let them know this is an issue that is important to you.

Thank you.