Elderly to suffer after dementia funding axing
The sting of the federal government’s axing of the Dementia and Severe Behaviours Supplement remains as the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) joins other aged care industry stakeholders in expressing its disappointment.
ANMF federal secretary, Lee Thomas, says the abolishment of the $16 a day supplement, introduced as part of the Labor Government’s Living Longer, Living Better aged care package of reforms, will dramatically impact the funding and quality of care being delivered to elderly, vulnerable Australians.
According to Ms Thomas, in funding residential care, the extra costs of caring for people with dementia are recognised and considered.
“But yet again, without any warning, the federal government has launched another attack on the aged care sector,” Ms Thomas adds.
“After the election, the government quickly moved to rob nurses and aged care workers of $1.1 billion in agreed funding for wages, education and training, by overturning the Workforce Supplement.
“Now they’re terminating the daily supplement paid to assist in the care of Australia’s growing number of dementia sufferers, who are among the most vulnerable members of our communities.”
Putting the budget before resident care is only adding to the crisis in aged care, she added.
“Axing the Dementia Supplement will significantly impact the quality of care delivered to sufferers of dementia. Ultimately, it’s elderly, vulnerable Australians and their families, who will suffer.”
