Dementia Australia welcomes the Queensland Government’s announcement in yesterday’s State Budget that it will provide additional spending to continue to deliver first-class health services, including investment in dementia research and additional funding to support victims of elder abuse.
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said Dementia Australia was specifically pleased to see the increased funding of $50 million over five years to continue to expand innovative programs under the Advance Queensland initiative.
"This initiative will include support for the Clem Jones Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research, among a range of innovation programs to drive and scale innovation in Queensland, bringing total funding for the Advance Queensland Initiative to $650 million," she said.
"Dementia Australia also welcomes the investment of $4.5 million to continue to provide support to victims of elder abuse by funding Seniors Legal and Support Services and the Elder Abuse Prevention Unit.
"This is a positive step as these services are essential to supporting Queensland’s older generation, particularly women, who constitute over 69 per cent of victims of elder abuse reported to the Helpline."
Ms McCabe said it was also pleasing to see a strong focus on keeping Queenslanders healthy with investments in improving hospital capacity, care, and equipment.
This includes:
- Increased funding of $570.8 million over six years from 2017-18 as part of the $679 million Building Better Hospitals package to increase public hospital capacity and services;
- $84.8 million as part of the Enhancing Regional Hospitals Program;
- $53.3 million for projects as part of the Rural and Regional Infrastructure Package.
"These investments will both, directly and indirectly, have a positive impact on the lives of people living with dementia, their families and carers," Ms McCabe said.
In 2018, there is an estimated 80,391 people living with dementia in Queensland and this is expected to increase to more than 233,000 by 2056, without a significant medical breakthrough.
Dementia is the leading cause of death among Australian women and the second leading cause of deaths overall.
Dementia was estimated to cost Queensland $218 million in 2017 and $586 million by 2056.[1]
Ms McCabe said while Dementia Australia welcomes the additional funding from the Queensland Government, dementia specialist support was vital to meet the unique needs of people living with dementia.
"Dementia is everyone’s business and it desperately requires well-funded support and services, responsive to local needs," she said.
Dementia Australia is the national peak body and charity for people, of all ages, living with all forms of dementia, their families and carers. It provides advocacy, support services, education and information. An estimated 425,000 people have dementia in Australia. This number is projected to reach more than 1.1 million by 2056. Dementia Australia is the new voice of Alzheimer’s Australia. Dementia Australia’s services are supported by the Australian Government.
National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 Interpreter service available (The National Dementia Helpline is an Australian Government Initiative) Dementia is a National Health Priority Area
www.dementia.org.au
-Ends-
When talking or writing about dementia please refer to Dementia-Friendly Language Guidelines. ---
/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) may be of a point-in-time nature, edited for clarity, style and length. The views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s).
