Dementia Australia says it looks forward to working with the new Federal Labor Government to ensure quality dementia care and ongoing reform across the aged care sector.
CEO, Maree McCabe AM said the organisation welcomed the Labor Party’s promise to put more nurses in residential care and give aged care workers more time to care for residents.
“And we acknowledge the Party’s promise to formally support a pay rise for aged care workers,” she said.
“We look forward to working with the Government on all Labor policies relevant to people impacted by dementia through the health, aged care, disability and social services sectors.”
It has been 15 months since the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was handed down, which stated: ‘dementia care should be core business for aged care services, and particularly residential aged care services’.
“Quality dementia care must be top of the agenda for every plan, framework, strategy and review of the aged care system reform process including residential and home and community care,” Ms McCabe said.
“With the Government’s support we hope to see a commitment to quality dementia care from Boards, directors and governance committees across the aged care, disability and health care sectors.”
Throughout the election campaign, Dementia Australia called for a focus on quality dementia care given its prevalence across the country, specifically seeking a commitment to implementing compulsory dementia training for the aged care workforce, a national dementia palliative care program and renewed funding of the Dementia-Friendly Communities program.
“We know 70% of the almost half a million Australians with dementia are living in the community and 70% of residential aged care residents have moderate to severe cognitive impairment,” said Ms McCabe.
“Getting quality care right for people living with dementia will have a profound and lasting, impact for all – systematically, emotionally, economically and as a human right.
“We look forward to working with the Prime Minister and relevant Ministers to ensure everyone receives the care they deserve.”
For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500. An interpreter service is available and the Helpline is open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays. The National Dementia Helpline is funded by the Australian Government. People looking for information can also visit dementia.org.au
