Dementia Australia has welcomed the Australian Greens’ policy release and their human rights based approach to aged care.
“As the peak body, our purpose is to advocate for the autonomy, independence and human rights of people living with dementia,” Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said.
“We’re committed to a vision for a world where people living with dementia are valued, included and receive the care and support they choose,” she said.
“More than half of residents living in residential aged care have a diagnosis of dementia and they tend to have much higher care needs than residents who do not have dementia, while around 70 per cent of people with dementia live in the community.
“Through health, aged care and disability reforms over recent years it is clear that supporting people impacted by dementia must be core business for the aged care industry.
“The additional pledges in the policy to increase home care packages, the hours of staff-to-resident contact in residential care, and attention to the numbers of staff and ratios are to be commended.
“The focus on reducing the overuse and misuse of chemical and physical restraint aligns with Dementia Australia’s long-held position, and this must be a priority for all parties.
“We look forward to hearing from all political parties in the lead-up to the coming federal election and how they plan to elevate the issues relating to dementia to improve the lives of people of all ages living with all forms of dementia, their families and carers.”
For Dementia Australia’s federal budget submission, visit: https://www.dementia.org.au/files/submissions/Dementia-Australia_FEDERAL_Pre-Budget-submission-2019-20.pdf
