Election 2016
A RE-ELECTED Coalition Government would prioritise $11.4 million for people living with dementia, including $7.5 million for specialist dementia care units in aged care.
Aged Care Minister Sussan Ley said the units would provide one-on-one care for people who need more support than can be provided through existing services or the Severe Behaviour Response Teams.
Location of the units, which would be rolled out over the next four years, would be based on demographic and geographic needs, with access for people in rural and remote areas a priority.
A further $3.9 million would be used to build dementia-friendly communities, creating local programs to educate people about dementia and improve social engagement for people with dementia and their carers.
"The aim is to help people with dementia remain respected citizens in their local community, to be better supported by people living with and around them and to stay living independently for as long as possible," Ms Ley said.
Alzheimer's Australia chief executive Carol Bennett said the funds would make a real difference for the 353,000 people with dementia in Australia.
"This announcement will not only ensure people living with dementia are offered meaningful, dementia-appropriate care, it will also go a long way to help alleviate pressure on the already stretched aged care services," she said.
"Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia, and without a medical breakthrough there is set to be more than 900,000 people living with dementia by 2050."
Council on the Ageing chief executive Ian Yates said now was the time to better enable communities to support people living with dementia and to provide specialist services that offered prompt, high quality dementia care.
"We welcome the commitment to work with the sector, including consumer organisations, in working out how best to utilise the $7.5 million over four years for specialist dementia care units," he said.
"These are additional funds to the normal funding for bed allocations.
"We also look forward to working with the government on how the $3.9 million of existing funding now being targeted to promote dementia-friendly communities will deliver the best outcomes.
"Australia needs to much better prepare for a growing ageing population, with many more people living with dementia, and this is a good step in that direction."
National Seniors chief executive Michael O'Neill said any move to help break down the stigma surrounding dementia and help carers was welcome.
"Dementia sufferers and their carers are some of the most vulnerable people in Australia, and often fall victim to social isolation," he said.
"The funding for specialist dementia care units providing one-on-one care will also help alleviate pressure on already struggling aged care services."