Community grants to reduce impact of dementia
Local initiatives to help older people and their families prevent or manage dementia will be supported by a new $2 million Australian Government community grants program, the Minister for Ageing, Senator Santo Santoro, said today.
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6 February 2006
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Local initiatives to help older people and their families prevent or manage dementia will be supported by a new $2 million Australian Government community grants program.
The Minister for Ageing, Senator Santo Santoro, today encouraged community organisations to apply for funding for dementia-related projects, as part of the government’s $320.6 million commitment to dementia announced in the 2005 Budget.
Projects focussing on raising awareness about dementia, providing support, and highlighting the importance of seeking help early and maintaining a healthy lifestyle to reduce the risk of dementia later in life were the focus of this funding.
"About 200,000 Australians currently have dementia, and this number will increase as our population ages. Helping people delay dementia is vital, both now and in the future," Senator Santoro said.
"It is expected that dementia will overtake depression as the leading burden of disease in Australia in coming years. We need to ensure that local communities and services are well supported to meet the needs of people with dementia, their carers and families.
"Activities that increase understanding of dementia, as well as supporting positive early intervention, are important to ensuring people remain healthier for longer.
"This funding will also ensure people with dementia and their families receive better care by supporting innovation and encouraging communities to improve services," he said.
Projects with local support groups, building partnerships across services and improving care planning and management for people with dementia will be a priority for the grants.
Grant application kits, including guidelines and application forms, are available from www.health.gov.au/tenders.
Media contact: Bob Pounds (02) 6277 7280 or 0408 612 603
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