PDF printable version of Dementia initiative supported into the future (PDF 25 KB)
22 August 2007
PYN93/07
The Australian Government has reaffirmed its commitment to people with dementia, their carers and families by announcing that the Dementia Initiative would be funded beyond 2009.
“Dementia is a growing issue in the health and ageing sectors as the incidence of dementia is expected to rise exponentially over the coming years,” the Minister for Ageing, Christopher Pyne, said today.
“Our ongoing support to the Dementia Initiative includes Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia Packages worth more than $90 million a year by 2009-10,” he said.
“Furthermore, each year we’ll continue to provide $30 million for dementia research, early intervention programs, improved care initiatives, and training.”
Many projects have already been implemented under the initiative – from dementia research and service development to improvements in treatment, care and support for healthcare professionals, including aged care workers.
“For example, the Government is providing a $16 million Dementia Research Grants program and has funded the establishment of three university-based Dementia Collaborative Research Centres, at a cost of $7 million,” Mr Pyne said.
Currently there are 200,000 Australians – or one in a hundred people – living with dementia, most of whom are elderly. This figure is projected to double within 20 years.
“The present focus of our Dementia Initiative is on research, preventative initiatives, early intervention programs, improved care initiatives and training for aged care workers, carers, police and ambulance officers,” Mr Pyne said.
“Together, we are taking positive steps to deal with the growth in numbers of people with dementia to ensure that we can best meet their needs, and those of the community, today and into the future.”
While the funding will continue after 2009, program monitoring and evaluation will help to determine the direction and targeting of the initiative.
Media contact: Adam Howard 0400 414 833
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