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Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe will call for mandatory, dementia education for aged care workers in her appearance at the Royal Commission into Aged Care Safety and Quality in Adelaide today.
“With more than 50 per cent of people in residential aged care living with a diagnosis of dementia, it is essential that a minimum level of dementia specific training becomes a national prerequisite to work in aged care across all parts of the system,” Ms McCabe said.
“The staffing resources in terms of numbers and skills mix needs to be sufficient to meet the complex care needs of people living with dementia.
“Governments, providers, health professionals and consumers must work together to develop agreed and clearly articulated dementia quality care standards, enshrined in regulation, to ensure that dementia is core business in the aged care industry.
“A commitment to provide consumers with the tools they need to facilitate transparent, equitable access to services and choice is paramount in this process.
“Aged care is complex and this Royal Commission is a once in a generation opportunity to transform the industry to make a profound and lasting difference to the lives of all people impacted by dementia.
“This focus on dementia through the Royal Commission will inform a compelling future that supports people with dementia, their families and carers.”
Dementia Australia’s Witness Statement to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety along with a transcript of today’s proceedings will be available on the Royal Commission website later today.
To read Dementia Australia’s media comments and opinion editorials about the Royal Commission visit https://www.dementia.org.au/royal-commission.
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 436,000 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 funded by the Australian Government Dementia is a National Health Priority Area www.dementia.org.au
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Media contacts: Christine Bolt 0400 004 553 [email protected] /Gabrielle Prabhu 0447 253 583 [email protected]
When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia Language Guidelines.