Funding for dementia programs extended
The federal government has extended funding for national dementia programs.
Dementia training, education and support will get a $44 million boost, the government has announced.
Aged care services minister Richard Colbeck says the funding will extend national programs provided by Dementia Training Australia and Dementia Support Australia for another year.
The programs deliver clinical support, assessments, recommendations for care interventions, mentoring and capacity building for family and informal carers, primary and acute care staff and aged care service providers.
“They also provide accredited education, upskilling and professional development in dementia care for health and care workers, GPs, nurses and allied health professionals,” Senator Colbeck said in a statement on Tuesday.
The programs include:
- Dementia Training Program (DTP)
- Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service (DMAS)
- Severe Behaviour Response Teams (SBRT)
- Needs Based Assessment (NBA)
The minister says the final report of the aged care royal commission, set to be handed down next month, will determine how the programs are delivered beyond June 2022.
He says the programs have had “great outcomes” and delivered significant clinical benefits, as well as improving the quality of care provided by health professionals and care workers.
Up to 450,000 Australians are believed to be living with dementia.
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