Plan aims to elevate dementia
Government has launched a framework detailing key actions for building dementia knowledge and services.
The government has launched the much-awaited 10-year plan to improve dementia awareness and services as well as the population’s risk of getting it.
The National Dementia Action Plan 2024-2034 has eight actions for implementation that focus on increasing dementia awareness, reducing the population’s risk of dementia, and driving better coordinated dementia services.
The plan was developed in partnership with state and territory governments and informed by people living with dementia and their carers and families, aged care providers, health professionals and workers, plus advocates, researchers and peak industry bodies and organisations.
The 10-year framework to assist government provide a better coordinated and integrated approach to dementia support comes in response to recommendation 15 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
An online dashboard developed by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare will track and report progress against the plan annually.
Dementia Australia chief executive officer Professor Tanya Buchanan said the plan was critical to guarantee that people living with dementia, their families and carers have the best care and support available.
“The National Dementia Action Plan provides a clear vision for the future, where all Australians understand dementia and all people living with all forms of dementia and their carers have quality of life,” she said.
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Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells said that without intervention, the number of Australians living with dementia would more than double from the estimated 411,000-plus today by 2058.
“We can make a difference and reduce these numbers, slow the progression of dementia and improve quality of life by working together to deliver the National Dementia Action Plan,” Ms Wells said.
The National Dementia Action Plan also aims to support the 1.6 million Australians caring for someone with dementia at home or in aged care and improve respite options, she said.
The Action Plan includes the following eight actions across multiple domains:
- promote equity and human rights
- tackle stigma, improve awareness and promote inclusivity
- empower individuals and communities to minimise risk where they can, and delay onset and progression
- improve dementia diagnosis and post‑diagnostic care and support
- improve treatment, coordination and support for people living with dementia
- support carers of people living with dementia
- build capability of the workforce to care for and support people living with dementia
- improve dementia data, maximise the impact of dementia research and promote innovation
Professor Buchanan said the plan meant greater focus on the current impacts of dementia and availability of services and how we can improve the experience of diagnosis, support and care for people with concerns about dementia, living with dementia and their families and carers in the future.
“I acknowledge the extensive contributions by people living with dementia, their families and carers in creating the National Dementia Action Plan and congratulate the Federal Government along with State and Territory Governments and key stakeholders that were involved in developing the plan,” Professor Buchanan said.
“Dementia Australia is committed to working with the Government and across the sector on the delivery of the Action Plan and to ensure we have the right systems in place for all Australians impacted to be able to access appropriate services and more treatments as they become available.”
Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler said the National Dementia plan reflected dementia being a national health priority for government.
“This historic plan is a reminder that while we have made huge advancements in treatment there is more to be done to raise awareness, diagnose, and care for individuals and community impacted by dementia,” he said.
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