With Australians heading to the polls in a matter of weeks, Dementia Australia is issuing a stark warning: Australians impacted by dementia cannot wait. With dementia set to soon become the nation's leading cause of death, Dementia Australia is urgently calling on all parties, independents and candidates to commit to immediate action.
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said there are an estimated 433,300 Australians living with dementia and 29,000 people living with younger onset dementia. Two thirds of Australians with dementia live in our community and around 1.7 million people are involved in their care. Dementia is a progressive brain condition and there is currently no cure.
"Dementia cannot be ignored during this election. The situation is already critical with our hospitals, acute care and aged care systems all unable to meet demand. Two in three people living with dementia live in the community and there are long waits to receive home care packages," Professor Buchanan said.
"People living with dementia wait longer in hospitals to get access to residential aged care than someone who doesn't have dementia. The length of stay in hospital is five times longer than for someone without dementia.
"Without a significant intervention the number of Australians who will be living with dementia is set to double in the next 30 years. We simply cannot afford to wait, the 48th Parliament must be the one to commit to action," Professor Buchanan said.
Dementia affects Australians of all ages and is the public health, disability and aged care challenge facing Australia and must be top of the agenda for all political parties, independents and candidates.
Dementia Australia is calling for federal government commitments to:
1. Launch a national conversation on dementia to raise awareness of the condition and to promote brain health at all ages;
2. Establish a team of dementia specialist care coordinators within Dementia Australia to deliver nationally consistent support and navigation to people living with dementia, their families and carers; and
3. Build the capability of the workforce to provide care and support for people living with dementia.
"The first priority is especially pressing. We cannot change getting older, genetics or family history, however scientific research shows that looking after our brain health can make a big difference to reducing or delaying the risk of developing dementia. Dementia is not a normal part of ageing and in the absence of a cure, we must ensure we take all steps possible to promote good brain health throughout our lives in order to reduce the risk of dementia," Professor Buchanan said.
"Dementia prevalence data is available for every Federal electorate – for 2025 and with projections to 2054. We recommend all parties, independents and candidates use this data to help them understand why dementia must be a policy priority nationally and for their electorates."
Dementia Australia Advisory Committee Chair Ann Pietsch, who lives with Lewy body dementia, reiterated the importance of all political parties and candidates keeping a focus on dementia.
"Raising awareness and educating people about dementia is of paramount importance for all Australians – there is still much to be done," Ms Pietsch said.
To assist people living with dementia, their families and carers with information regarding support to vote for this election, Dementia Australia is hosting a series of information sessions. Click here for details on the sessions and how to join. Visit our website f
