Dementia hub expands Victorian services
People living with dementia, their carers and families will have access to more services in Geelong and throughout the Barwon South West region as a result of a new Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria dementia care hub funded by the state and federal governments.
People living with dementia, their carers and families will have access to more services in Geelong and throughout the Barwon South West region as a result of a new Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria dementia care hub funded by the state and federal governments.
The Hon David Davis MP, Minister for Health and Ageing, was in Newtown to officially open the dementia care hub which will expand existing support services providing vital counselling, information, support and education to people living with dementia, their families and carers across the Barwon South West region.
In June last year Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria received through the federal and Victorian governments Home and Community Care program a funding increase of $400,000 per year to expand services in the Barwon and Grampians regions.
Maree McCabe, Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria chief executive, said the funding increase has enabled a significant and much needed increase in dementia services in the Barwon South West region.
“Our research estimates in the Barwon South West region alone there are more than 6,000 people living with dementia and this figure is expected to rise to almost 23,000 by 2050.
“With a projected growth of 270% in the number of people who will be living with dementia, this funding increase is vital to ensure planning to meet the future increases in demand on our services.
“This means people living with dementia, their carers and families will have improved access to counselling, education and support.
“And, throughout the region, the health and aged care sector will have more choices in quality education to provide the best care possible for people with dementia.”
Ms McCabe added the people needed to know that “we are here for them and their families” when a diagnosis of dementia is received, at any time and at any stage.
“Life doesn’t stop with a dementia diagnosis and by expanding our services we will be able to assist more and more people to play an active role in planning for their future, maintaining the best possible quality of life and enabling access to the care and support available to them,” she said.
Pictured is Joyce Mitchell, client of Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria; Andrew Katos, Member for South Barwon; the Hon David Davis, Minister for Health and Ageing; Maree McCabe, CEO Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria; and Jack Mitchell, client of Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria.
Located at 1/318 Pakington Street, the centre will see seven dedicated staff provide counselling, information, support and education for family carers and the industry. The office has a dedicated space for group meetings, program activity and education.
To find out how Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria can assist, call 1800 100 500 or visit www.fightdementia.org.au/vic.
