Aged care nearing ‘breaking point’
John Watkins, Alzheimer’s Australia NSW chief executive, believes Australian aged care facilities are not prepared for what is ahead. Mr Watkins’ claim comes as new figures reveal there will be almost one million Australians living with dementia by 2050 and it would become the leading cause of death across the nation.
John Watkins, Alzheimer’s Australia NSW chief executive, believes Australian aged care facilities are not prepared for what is ahead.
Mr Watkins’ claim comes as new figures reveal there will be almost one million Australians living with dementia by 2050 and it would become the leading cause of death across the nation.
He claims Australia’s aged care facilities will be stretched to “breaking point”.
“I’m not confident we’re prepared for what’s coming. Every government, local, state and federal, has a role to play and, at the moment, they’re not seriously doing it,” he says.
The explosion of dementia cases will mean New South Wales may need to build about 2,000 aged care facilities and recruit hundreds of special care nurses every year for the next 38 years.
Alzheimer’s Australia NSW has called for a funding pledge of $200 million.
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare estimates the population of 100,000 dementia sufferers in NSW will triple over 40 years.
NSW Health’s Dementia Policy Team, led by Professor Henry Brodaty, says it does not yet have a long term plan for dementia care beyond 2015.
Do you agree Australian aged care facilities are unprepared for the increase in dementia cases?
