More funds needed for aged care
While a new initiative to assist and support people living with dementia in residential aged care facilities is a “step in the right direction”, a union for nurses claims more needs to be done to ensure elderly Australians receive quality care.
Lee Thomas, of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), has called on the federal government to provide more detail on how the new Severe Behaviour Response Teams scheme will work.
Lee Thomas, federal secretary of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF), says the creation of 'Severe Behaviour Response Teams' will help treat many Australians living with dementia, but called on the federal government to provide more detail on how the scheme would work.
The $54.5 million package over four years utilises redirected funding from the previous Dementia Supplement scrapped by the federal government last year.
“With the number of dementia cases set to increase to almost one million people by 2050, the ANMF and our members call on the government to look at new ways of assisting some of the most vulnerable people living in aged care facilities as well as their families,” Ms Thomas says.
“The announcement that teams of clinical experts will treat people with extreme behavioural and psychological symptoms is a step in right direction but the government needs to do more right across the aged care sector, for patients and the nurses and carers that look after them every day,” she says.
“We understand that the Aged Care Sector Committee may be involved in the process of guiding the operational development of the teams, including their role and function. This process will be critical to ensure access and equity and ultimately, appropriate treatment for all affected Australians.”
According to Ms Thomas, there is still a lot more that needs to be done if the government is to ensure that we can fund the treatment for the growing number of elderly Australians suffering from dementia.
“The ANMF continues to advise the government that the key way to ensure quality care can be delivered to all people in nursing homes and those with extreme symptoms of Dementia, is to guarantee they will be cared for by qualified, skilled nurses and other health professionals,” she says.
Ms Thomas adds the government must consult with the ANMF and other industry stakeholders as it reviews the national “co-ordination, integration and effectiveness” of existing dementia programs.
