Dementia Australia welcomes the $2.2 billion investment in ongoing aged care reform announced tonight in the Federal Budget, including a range of dementia specific initiatives.
Dementia Australia Executive Director Services, Advocacy and Research Dr Kaele Stokes said tonight's Federal Budget was an important step forward to improving the quality of care for people living with dementia, their families and carers.
"We welcome the continuing progress made by the Albanese Government in keeping dementia at the forefront by addressing key recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety," Dr Stokes said.
The budget includes a raft of health and aged care measures that continue to build the capacity of acute and aged care services to deliver quality and appropriate care across community and residential settings as well as improving the coordination of care for people living with dementia who have more complex care needs.
"We also acknowledge the Government's recognition of the need for a health system that can accommodate developments in biomarkers and disease-modifying therapies for dementia," Dr Stokes said.
Dementia specific measures in the 2024-25 Federal Budget include:
- $56.8 million for the expansion of the Commonwealth's Acute to Residential Care Transition Service dementia program.
- $30.4 million to states and territories to continue to deliver the Specialist Dementia Care Program.
- $1.7 million for the Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT) for system readiness. Investment in understanding and supporting people impacted by less common forms of dementia.
"Given there are more than 421,000 people living with all forms of dementia in Australia we are committed to continuing to work with the Government to ensure the experiences of people impacted by dementia remain central to the design and roll out of these and future aged care reforms," Dr Stokes said.
Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated more than 421,000 Australians living with dementia, and the more than 1.6 million people involved in their care. We advocate for positive change and support vital research. We are here to support people impacted by dementia, and to enable them to live as well as possible. No matter how you are impacted by dementia or who you are, we are here for you.
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