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www.alzheimers2013.com
UPDATE
Living Longer Living Better Tackling Dementia
On 20 April 2012, the Government announced the Living Longer Living Better aged care
reform package. The reforms include $268.4 million over five years to tackle dementia, from
when people first approach their GP with the early signs of dementia through to when they
need a very high level of aged care including;
· a new Dementia Supplement in home and residential care;
· improved hospital and primary care;
· increased focus on people with younger onset dementia; and
· reducing the time between symptoms and diagnosis.
Also as part of the reforms, the Australian Government made a commitment to take a
proposal to the Standing Council on Health to endorse dementia as a National Health
Priority Area. On 10 August 2012 Health Ministers agreed to designate dementia as the
ninth National Health Priority Area. The move is expected to enhance the development of a
second National Framework for Action on Dementia, which is currently under development.
The new Dementia Supplements will come into effect from 1 July 2013. In Home Care, the
supplement will be available for eligible care recipients across all levels of Home Care
packages and will be 10 per cent on top of the basic subsidy. In residential aged care,
providers can receive additional funding to improve the quality of care for eligible residents
who have severe behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia. A Working Group of
clinicians, services providers and consumer advocates is assisting the Department to
determine the eligibility details of both new arrangements; for which a total of approximately
$164 million is available over five years to 2016-17.
The scope of the Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service has expanded into the
primary and acute care sectors to assist care workers and health care professionals to better
care for people with dementia presenting with behavioural and psychological symptoms of
dementia (BPSD). This will enable people presenting with BPSD to be appropriately
managed across all care settings and in transitioning from one care setting to another.
To improve support for people with younger onset dementia, a national network of key
workers is being recruited and will be operational by 30 June 2013. The key workers will help
younger people with dementia and their families to access the care and support services
most appropriate for their needs and support them to achieve their long and short term
goals.
Efforts to achieve more timely diagnosis are underway. Training and resources will be
available to GPs and practice nurses and local pathways will be developed to assist in
diagnosing dementia and referring patients once a diagnosis is made.
April 2013