The Australian Government is providing $1.3 million in funding to Monash University to update the Clinical Practice Guidelines and Principles of Care for People with Dementia.
For people working in the aged care and health sectors, the current guidelines provide comprehensive and valuable guidance in caring for people living with dementia.
The forthcoming update will ensure the guideline recommendations remain at the forefront of dementia care, reflecting the most current scientific evidence and best practices in dementia risk reduction, diagnosis, and management.
Dementia now causes the greatest burden of disease for Australians over 65 and is the second leading burden of disease overall.
These guidelines will enable GPs, medical specialists, health professionals and aged care workers to provide improved and more consistent care and support to people living with dementia.
The updated guidelines are due to be released mid-2026. See the current Clinical Practice Guidelines and Principles of Care for People with Dementia on the NHMRC website.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells:
"The Albanese Government is investing $1.3 million to make sure our dementia clinical practice guidelines stay current and effective, reflecting best practice and the latest evidence.
"We want our health professionals to have access to up-to-date and research informed clinical guidelines so they can continue to provide the highest standard of care to Australians living with dementia.
"Updating these clinical guidelines will help improve the quality and consistency of care for people living with dementia and improve outcomes so they can live well with dementia."
Quotes attributable to co-chair of the guideline development program, Prof Velandai Srikanth, Geriatrician and Director of the National Centre for Healthy Ageing:
"This important work led by the National Centre for Healthy Ageing will bring together a team of national and international clinical and academic experts in dementia care, along with partners such as Dementia Australia and other key organisations."
Quotes attributable to co-chair of the guideline development program, Prof Simon Bell, Director of the Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash University:
"The guidelines will reflect current evidence and best practice in dementia care, and be informed by end-user preferences and needs."
Quotes attributable to Prof Terence O'Brien, Chair of Medicine and Acting Dean, SubFaculty of Translational Medicine and Public Health, Monash University and Program Director and Neurologist, Alfred Brain:
"Monash University is delighted to work closely with the department on this important program of work over the next two years, and to recognise the impact this will have on improved care for people living with dementia."
