Fight Dementia campaign: Minister Butler responds
[SOUND FILE] The Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, met the Alzheimer’s Australia campaigners on the front lawn of Parliament House. Listen to his official address.
By Yasmin Noone
The issue of dementia funding is heating up as a political issue.
The Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Mark Butler, met the 500 Alzheimer’s Australia supporters who marched on Canberra on the front lawn of Parliament House earlier today.
Addressing the many advocates Alzheimer’s disease – people living with dementia, their carers and family, as well as fellow politicians and union representatives – at the country’s central venue of political power, Mr Butler stressed his committment to reform the aged care sector and meet the needs of individuals with the disease.
Dementia funding, he firmly stated, has not been cut.
To listen to Mr Butler’s speech, click on the sound file below:
Mark Butler speaks at Alzheimer’s Australia march on Parliament
Following the rally, Mr Butler confirmed that dementia is front and centre of the Gillard government’s agenda.
“We are continuing to invest in dementia research and programs that provide support to people living with dementia, including information, counselling, and education and training to strengthen the capacity of care workers,” the Minister said.
“The government provides $8.3 billion for the care of people in aged care homes, of whom around 53 per cent have a diagnosis of dementia and support for people to stay in their homes, including the EACH Dementia packages, and funding for respite for carers of people with dementia, among other supports.
“Funding has not been cut from dementia programs and our commitment to continue support for older people, including people with dementia and their carers, is undiminished.”
The Minister said dementia is one of a number of emerging health challenges and one he is passionate to confront. Minister Butler today joined Alzheimer’s Australia at the march and will also meet with Alzheimer’s Australia later today.
“Caring for people with dementia is a key focus of aged care reform and has been considered in the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Caring for Older Australians.“
To read more about the Fight Dementia campaign, click here.
To read the responses of the Australian Greens and Coalition on the matter, click here.
Dementia patients are unaware of heat and cold and as most are well into their twilight years they still deserve to be treated as human beings while they are in care. The administration blocks of these facilities are well air conditioned for the staff for a few hours a day while they are in their office then why is the same consideration not given to the patients who are incarcerated for the rest of their lives in these facilities without air conditioning and rely on fans during the Queensland hot summers it is a disgrace as cooling is at the discretion of the administrator who is basically a numbers man and not a medical specialist these people have been the backbone of this country before all of these new labour saving devices were invented and deserve more consideration.