Dementia Australia welcomes the South Australian Labor Party's election commitment to fund the delivery of a Dementia Carers Wellbeing and Education Program and calls upon all South Australian parties and independents to offer bi-partisan support.
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said the 12-month South Australian program would support unpaid carers with evidence-based wellbeing and education interventions, aimed at improving carer health, reducing stress and strengthening carers capacity to sustain their caring role.
"With dementia now the leading cause of death for Australians, and with an estimated 35,800 people living with all forms of dementia in South Australia, support for carers is vital," Professor Buchanan said.
"While caring for someone can be rewarding, it can also place significant physical and emotional demands on carers.
"But if support is provided early, we see better outcomes for both carers and the people they are caring for."
The program would run across metropolitan and regional South Australia, reaching approximately 800 carers across 12 months. The tried and tested program would consist of two parts:
- A one-day sessions for carers that focuses on everyday wellbeing strategies to reduce stress and improve self-care practices.
- Dementia Australia's EDIE (Educational Dementia Immersive Experience) for Family Carers workshops, which uses virtual reality technology that enables carers to see the world through the eyes of a person living with dementia.
"Nationally, there are an estimated 1.7 million people in Australia involved in the care of someone living with dementia," Professor Buchanan said.
"It is vital we look after the wellbeing of those living in South Australia so that they are in the best position possible to support those they care for."
