The Albanese 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.
Led by medicine, neurology and aged care experts from Monash's National Centre for Healthy Ageing, Centre for Medicine Use and Safety and School of Translational Medicine, 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, which is a term used to describe a group of conditions characterised by gradual impairment of brain function, now causes the greatest burden of disease for Australians over 65 and is the second leading burden of disease overall.
As the population continues to grow and age, the number of Australians living with dementia will more than double over the next 30 years.
The updated 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 - now and into the future.
The new guidelines are due to be released mid-2026. The current Clinical Practice Guidelines and Principles of Care for People with Dementia are available 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, Professor 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, Professor Simon Bell, Director of the Centre for Medicine Use and Safety, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences:
"The guidelines will reflect current evidence and best practice in dementia care, and be informed by end-user preferences and needs."
Quotes attributable to Professor 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."
To read the original press release visit: https://www.health.gov.au/ministers/the-hon-anika-wells-mp/media/developing-best-practice-in-dementia-health-care?language=en
