Will Julia join the fight?
Prime Minister Julia Gillard was last week told the price for failing to plan ahead in the fight against dementia would be paid by the families of those living with dementia. Prime Minister Gillard was briefed on the Fight Dementia Campaign by Alzheimer’s Australia president, Ita Buttrose, and chief executive, Glenn Rees.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard was last week told the price for failing to plan ahead in the fight against dementia would be paid by the families of those living with dementia.
Prime Minister Gillard was briefed on the Fight Dementia Campaign by Alzheimer’s Australia president, Ita Buttrose, and chief executive, Glenn Rees, who took the opportunity to explain to the Prime Minister why Australia needed a plan to combat the dementia epidemic.
The main message conveyed last week was dementia was “not just an aged care issue”.
According to a released press statement by Alzheimer’s Australia, dementia needed a “multi-faceted” approach focus, and not just on diagnosis and treatment but on awareness, risk reduction and research.
Ms Buttrose explained the social impact of the epidemic was “enormous on the family and friends” of people living with dementia.
According to Alzheimer’s Australia, the direct health costs of dementia were already estimated at $5.4 billion a year, and by 2030, dementia would be the third highest area of hospital and residential care expenditure.
Ms Buttrose and Mr Rees emphasised “dementia would not go away”, suggesting it would only lead to increased burdens and costs for both the nation and individuals.
