We are ‘ill-prepared’ for ageing population

It is essential long-term planning and investment decisions are made now to ensure we are prepared for the increase in dementia, Australian Greens spokesperson on ageing, Senator Rachel Siewert, said last week.

The message for preventative action came after the government, last Thursday (13 October 2011), failed to guarantee that equivalent funding would be provided for programs to replace the Dementia Initiative, which is set to end in 2013.

Senator Siewert said the government’s reluctance to guarantee replacement funding would reduce the nation’s “ability to provide care and assistance” for dementia patients and their families.

“Without renewed investment, the government will be unable to provide the level of support needed for community care, training, support programs, research, community grants, risk management and timely diagnosis,” she said.

With the rapidly ageing population, Senator Siewert claimed investment is particularly needed in areas such as early diagnosis and intervention.

“Early dementia diagnosis allows patients to make important decisions about their treatment and future,” she added.

Suggesting Australia’s current health, aged and community care systems were “ill-prepared” to face the ageing population, Senator Siewert said dementia was a “serious issue”.

Senator Siewert’s comments came after dementia activists from Victoria joined people from across the country as they marched on Parliament House last Wednesday (12 October 2011), to demand $500 million in funding over five years to address the dementia epidemic.

Leading the march was Alzheimer’s Australia president, Ita Buttrose, who claimed the march was in response to the government’s recent decision to “discontinue” the Dementia Initiative. To read more about the Fight Dementia campaign march, click here.

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