Dementia Australia welcomes the budget measures directed at monitoring dementia data nationally, implementing aged care reforms and making communities more inclusive for people with a disability including dementia. However, as the peak body, Dementia Australia is disappointed not to see funding that is urgently needed to reduce the impact of dementia, which will soon be the leading cause of death for all Australians.
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said significantly more funding is needed to reduce the impact of dementia on all Australians of all ages.
"With an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia and an estimated 29,000 people living with younger onset dementia – dementia is the public health, disability and aged care challenge facing Australia," Professor Buchanan said.
"The National Dementia Action Plan requires funding if we are to see it have an impact. The lack of funding to implement this Plan has a real impact on people living with dementia, their families and carers.
"Dementia Australia encourages all parties, independents and candidates to consider how they can support actions to reduce the impact of dementia."
Dementia Australia has been calling for funding for three critical initiatives to reduce the impact of dementia for all Australians. They are:
- Launching a national conversation on dementia to raise awareness of the condition and to promote brain health.
- Establishing a team of dementia specialist navigators within Dementia Australia to improve service support and access.
- Building the capability of the workforce to provide care and support for people living with dementia with training.
"Dementia Australia is looking forward to working with the next government to improve the lives of people of all ages impacted by all forms of dementia," Professor Buchanan said.
