Dementia and the new government initiative

Posted 24 May 2012 by Michelle Phillips    

The Labour Government has recently put forward an initiative to spend more money on Aged Care to enable the elderly to stay at home longer. In April 2012, this initiative was put forward, stating that more funding would be put towards tackling Dementia in Australia.

Did you know that:

·          Almost 280,000 Australians currently live with dementia

·          Without a significant medical breakthrough, that is expected to soar to almost 1 million by 2050

·          Each week, there are 1,600 new cases of dementia in Australia. That is expected to grow to 7,400 new diagnoses each week by 2050

·          Dementia is the third leading cause of death in Australia, after heart disease and stroke

Dementia describes a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain.  It is not one specific disease.  Dementia affects thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday tasks.  Some common symptoms may include:

·         Progressive and frequent memory loss

·         Confusion

·         Personality change

·         Apathy and withdrawal

·         Loss of ability to perform everyday tasks.

The Government Initiative, called Living Longer Living Better- the aged care reform package, will provide $3.7 billion over five years towards aged care. $268.4 million is proposed to be put towards tackling the nation’s dementia epidemic including:

• a new Dementia Supplement (funding) in home and residential care

• improved hospital and primary care

• increased focus on people with younger onset dementia

• reducing the time between symptoms and diagnosis

There are a great deal of support services available to both those with dementia, or their families and carers.  The National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 can assist with directing you to your closest support network.

Categories: Feature Article