Dementia expert focuses on more choice for people with dementia and their carers
Dr Jane Tilly, a leading international expert on consumer directed care (CDC), will be key note speaker at seminars in every state and territory over June and July.
Dr Tilly will be discussing the benefits for people with dementia and their carers of more choice and control over their caring options. She is a Doctor of Public Health in Health Policy and the Director of Quality Care Advocacy at the Alzheimer’s Association Washington DC.
Dr Tilly has extensive experience with research and policy analysis and a variety of health and long term care issues within the USA and internationally. Her expertise includes dementia policy and dementia services and consumer directed care.
Under CDC people with dementia and their carers may be able to manage their own individual budgetary needs for services by being allocated cash and vouchers. This may enable them to make their own choices about what sort of care and support they need and when they need it.
CDC principles may also help people decide whether residential or home based care suits their circumstances. Alzheimer’s Australia believes that Australia is well placed to experiment with CDC as it has a comprehensive community care system already in place.
The seminar series will focus on ‘Consumer Directed Care – A Way to Empower the Consumer?’
Specifically, Dr Tilly will explain the concept of CDC; the benefits of that approach in a number of overseas countries and the issues it raises; how the concept of CDC might work in our Australian context.
A publication ‘Consumer Directed Care – A Way to Empower the Consumer?’ is on the Alzheimer’s Australia website www.alzheimers.org.au together with details of the seminar program.
