This week’s news that Dementia Australia is calling for more funding for dementia support in this month’s federal budget is a direct response to the grim stats that will soon see dementia take the title of ‘leading cause of death in Australia’.
Their request for $66 million over the next four years won’t slow those numbers but could, at least, offer better support and treatment.
With dementia already the leading cause of death for Australian women and the leading cause of premature death in older Australians, waiting for the National Dementia Action Plan that the Federal Government is rolling out in 2024, seems too long to wait for many families.
According to the Chief Executive of Dementia Australia, Maree McCabe, the best use of the hoped-for $66 million would be to spread it across three key focus areas:
Workforce (to ensure mandatory education for all people working in aged care); risk-reduction programs; and the creation of dementia-friendly communities.
As we get closer to Tuesday’s Federal Budget announcement, it will be interesting to see how the Federal Government deals with the Dementia Australia submission – and how much money will be allocated to this growing health issue.
Have you been impacted by a dementia diagnosis in your family? Do you think $66 million is enough to support the issue? What would you spend the money on to help people with dementia?
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