DEMENTIA Australia has reiterated calls for compulsory dementia education to be embedded in health and aged care reforms in response to the Federal Budget.
Dementia Australia executive director services, Leanne Emerson, said that people impacted by dementia largely welcome the ongoing focus on reforming aged care and called on the Albanese Government to build on its commitment to strengthening the aged care workforce by investing in dementia education.
The $3.9 billion package of reforms includes:
• $2.5bn towards 24/7 registered nurses and increased care minutes;
• $3.6m for a national registration scheme for personal care workers;
• $5m for access to better food and improved nutritional standards;
• $68.5m to help improve regional aged care services;
• $23.1m for in-home aged care reform; and
• $26.1m for individual aged care homes supporting people living with dementia, First Nations people, people from diverse communities and those in regional areas.
“Compulsory dementia education is essential to the success of all of these initiatives,” Ms Emerson said.
“Dementia education leads to fewer high-risk incidents, lower rates of inappropriate use of medication and more positive staff attitudes and morale, which ultimately results in better service delivery and quality of life for people living with dementia.
“When people living with dementia receive care from professionals that have completed dementia education, fewer incidences of changed behaviour are experienced. We know from our work and broad consultation with people living with dementia, their families and carers, that if we get quality care right for people living with dementia then there will be quality care for all.
“Dementia Australia looks forward to continuing consultation with the government on these important reforms.”