Creating ‘world class’ dementia care
Alzheimer’s Australia has welcomed recommendations to improve the quality of residential and community care, which were made by the Senate Community Affairs Committee Inquiry into the Care and Management of Younger and Older Australians Living with Dementia and Behavioural and Psychiatric Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD).
Ita Buttrose says they will 'fight' for change in dementia care.
The report’s recommendations focus on the need to improve access to dementia specific respite, primary care, quality of residential aged care services, and to reduce the use of restraint in aged care services.
Ita Buttrose, Alzheimer’s Australia’s national president, says: “I would like to congratulate the Committee on their detailed report which sets the scene for creating a world class care and support system for people with dementia. The recommendations in the report are at the heart of our Fight Dementia Campaign and we will be fighting hard over the next three years to ensure that action is taken.”
The report responds to issues consumers have been concerned about for years, including the need for a national program of dementia key workers for people of all ages with dementia, and respite services that can meet the needs of all people with dementia including those with high care needs.
“If we are serious about improving the quality of dementia care the first step is to tackle the use of physical and chemical restraint and the disregard for basic human rights in some aged care facilities,” Ms Buttrose says.
“The recommendations made by the Senate Committee are consistent with those in the recently launched Alzheimer’s Australia report, The Use of Restraint and Psychotropic Medication in People with Dementia, including the need for training and education for GPs and the aged care workforce on appropriate care for BPSD, and mandatory reporting on the rate of use of psychotropic medications and physical restraints within aged care facilities.
“The challenge will be to ensure that these recommendations are adopted in residential and community care. We will fight to ensure these changes are achieved over the next three years.”
