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Dementia Australia is calling for the findings of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety to reflect the need for culturally appropriate, person-centred care, where the services provided are sensitive to, respectful of, and responsive to, the preferences, needs and values of people from diverse backgrounds including those who care for them.
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe says the need for person-centred care is a recurring theme from recent hearings of the Royal Commission,
“It is apparent in recent witness statements by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, that culturally appropriate, person-centred care must be at the forefront of how we support people living with dementia, their families and carers,” Ms McCabe said.
“Aboriginal people face barriers to accessing appropriate aged care services in their communities.
“For those living with dementia, it is important that they feel culturally safe.
“It is essential to have staff who are culturally sensitive or even better, actually from the local Aboriginal communities and have a range of skills.
“The aged care system and providers need to ensure there is infrastructure to support remote areas including transport needs.
“Often vast travel distances might impact on the ability for people to access services or to regularly visit a family and/or community member.
“Aged care policy must reflect the diversity of circumstances and the needs of older Aboriginal people across different locations.”
Dementia Australia has called for mandatory training for all health care professionals and all care staff in the key aspects of dementia care including: person-centred care and the fundamentals of caring for people with dementia.
“With approximately 447,000 people currently living with dementia in Australia, and figures projected to increase to almost 1.1 million people by 2058, dementia care must be a priority for the health and aged care industries, and an ongoing budget priority for the government.”
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Dementia Australia is the national peak body and charity for people, of all ages, living with all forms of dementia, their families and carers. It provides advocacy, support services, education and information. An estimated 438,000 people have dementia in Australia. This number is projected to reach almost 1.1 million by 2058. Dementia Australia is the new voice of Alzheimer’s Australia. Dementia Australia’s services are supported by the Australian Government.
National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500
Interpreter service available
(The National Dementia Helpline is an Australian Government Initiative)
Dementia is a National Health Priority Area
Media contacts: Christine Bolt 0400 004 553 [email protected]
When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia Language Guidelines.