Dementia Australia welcomes the election of the new Federal Labor Government and congratulates Australia’s 31st Prime Minister The Hon Anthony Albanese MP.
Dementia Australia CEO, Maree McCabe AM said she is looking forward to working with the newly elected Albanese Government to ensure quality dementia care will be placed at the top of the agenda for the ongoing systemic aged care reforms in the 47th parliament.
“We welcome the Labor Party’s commitment to put more nurses in residential care and give aged care workers more time to care for residents,” Ms McCabe said.
“And we acknowledge the Party’s promise to formally support a pay rise for aged care workers.
“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 per cent of the almost half a million Australians with dementia are living in the community and 70 per cent 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.”
Dementia Australia is the source of trusted information, education and services for the estimated half a million Australians living with dementia, and the almost 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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