Dementia Australia welcomes the New South Wales Government’s budget announcement to allocate additional funds to providing more nurses, doctors and other frontline health workers, and delivering new and upgraded hospitals.
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said it was excellent to see funding of more than $10 billion over the next four years on health infrastructure, as well as providing support for multicultural aged care homes across the state.
“People living with dementia account for more than 50% of those living in residential aged care and we know they often have much higher care needs than residents who do not have dementia,” Ms McCabe said.
“This funding will lead to better outcomes for people of diverse needs living with dementia.
“It’s fundamental that all Australians, no matter their background, have access to quality aged care.”
Dementia Australia also acknowledges the allocation of 5,000 more nurses and midwives including palliative care nurses.
“Dementia is the leading cause of death among Australian women and the second leading cause of death of Australians overall,” Ms McCabe said.
“Access to high quality palliative care assists people with a terminal condition, including dementia, to live and die well, as well as to ensure their carers, family and friends are supported through any decisions they need to make.
“We look forward to continuing our work with the New South Wales Government to ensure people living with dementia, their families and carers receive the best, quality dementia care.”
Local support and information is available for people of all ages, living with all forms of dementia, and their families and carers at www.dementia.org.au or via the National Dementia Helpline by free-calling 1800 100 500.
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Dementia Australia is the national peak body and charity for people, of all ages, living with all forms of dementia, their families and carers. It provides advocacy, support services, education and information. An estimated 447,000 people have dementia in Australia. This number is projected to reach almost 1.1 million by 2058. Dementia Australia is the new voice of Alzheimer’s Australia. Dementia Australia’s services are supported by the Australian Government.
National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500
Interpreter service available
(The National Dementia Helpline is an Australian Government Initiative)
Dementia is a National Health Priority Area
/Public Release.
