More support for dementia carers in Tasmania

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3 August 2005
JB117/05

A new consortium to provide more options for intermittent care in a variety of settings for people in Tasmania suffering from dementia, and to enable carers to take a break from their caring role, was launched today by the Minister for Ageing, Julie Bishop.

Ms Bishop said the Australian Government will provide funding of more than $1.29 million over three years for the Parkside Foundation Consortium through the National Respite for Carers Program. Funding will increase in the later years as services are expanded.

The Parkside Flexible Dementia Respite Packages project aims to provide in-home and out-of-home respite options for people with dementia and their carers. The program will link closely with Alzheimer’s Australia in Tasmania to ensure that respite teams are trained in dementia issues and to provide extra support to the carer.

"This project represents an innovative model for the delivery of respite care in Tasmania. It will use an integrated approach to improve the efficiency of respite provision and provide new options for carers," Ms Bishop said.

"Integrated models of community care are consistent with the Australian Government’s plans for community care as detailed in ‘The Way Forward’. Integration helps smaller services and prevents fragmentation which is particularly relevant in a small state such as Tasmania.

"Dementia is now a national health priority for the government. The 2005 Budget included an extra $225 million for dementia care in the home, as well as an extra $207 million to boost respite services for older Australians or others with disabilities."

The new service will be particularly targeted at dementia carers who have limited access to existing respite, especially people living in rural and remote areas and those from Aboriginal or culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

The consortium comprises five existing community care providers: Parkside Foundation, Alzheimer’s Australia Tasmania, South East Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation, May Shaw Nursing Home and Headway Support Services. The providers offer a variety of services, including day centres, in-home respite and residential respite for one or two nights.

Media contact: Alex Staples 02 6277 7280