Join the conversation about dementia: Aged Care Minister

The Morrison Government is delivering on its commitment to better support people living with dementia.

Dementia is one of the nation’s greatest health challenges and has an impact on every family in Australia. 

Dementia Action Week, from 16 to 22 September, is creating awareness and important discussions around discrimination and dementia.

The theme for this year is ‘Dementia doesn’t discriminate. Do you?’

Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians Richard Colbeck encouraged all Australians to get involved with Dementia Action Week, an initiative coordinated by Dementia Australia with funding support from the Morrison Government.

“Dementia is increasingly prevalent in Australia, and in the coming years most of us will be touched by this condition in some way,” Minister Colbeck said. 

“Because of this, I’m encouraging all Australians to participate in the week and join in a conversation about dementia.”

The Morrison Government’s funding measures include: 

• additional funding of $3m to meet growing demand for further support and upskilling of care providers to deliver best practice dementia care and behaviour management. This additional funding announced today will be provided to boost the sectors capacity to deliver training and behaviour management advice
• awarding $4m for three projects to trial innovative technology for people living with dementia to link into community supports and better manage medicine. This funding was made available in the 2018-19 Budget
• awarding $5m to trial a new innovative way of determining pain in people living with dementia in order to manage their care and medication needs
• continuing our partnership with Dementia Australia with $31m over three years to fund the National Dementia Support Program. This important program provides education, services and resources to those living with dementia. It also focuses on increasing awareness and reducing stigma about dementia and includes targeted outreach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and people from culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Minister for Health Greg Hunt said this announcement demonstrates the Morrison Government’s strong commitment to developing dementia research and ultimately finding a cure.

“Our Government has invested $200 million through the National Health and Medical Research Council’s (NHMRC) Boosting Dementia Research Grant scheme,” Minister Hunt said.

“Over ten years through the landmark Medical Research Future Fund we will invest a further $185 million into dementia, ageing and aged care. 

“As our population continues to live longer, we need to keep pace by undertaking research, and developing technology and tools to manage the effects of this condition.

“Maintaining a strong economy is enabling our Government to continue to make these crucial investments for all Australians,” Minister Hunt said.

People can create or attend local events to play a part in the conversation during Dementia Action Week, with more information at www.dementia.org.au.