Leaders from across Australia's health, aged care, disability and government sectors, along with people living with dementia and carers, have joined forces to build a shared agenda for action to improve the lives of Australians of all ages impacted by dementia.
Held at Parliament House, Canberra, Dementia Australia this week hosted the first No Time to Lose: National Dementia Policy and Advocacy Roundtable, bringing together diverse expertise and perspectives to identify practical policy solutions and to strengthen collective advocacy in a bid for change.
Dementia Australia Chief Executive Officer Professor Tanya Buchanan said the collaboration and commitment demonstrated by participants provided a strong foundation for future action.
"There was a genuine spirit of collaboration, with people bringing different experiences with a shared determination to improve outcomes for people living with dementia, their families and carers," Professor Buchanan said.
"The National Dementia Action Plan is a welcome foundation. However, a plan on paper without significant investment and sustained action will not deliver the change needed now and for the future.
"By harnessing our collective knowledge, skills, experience and influence, we can build momentum behind practical reforms that make a real difference to people living with dementia now, whilst reducing the impact of dementia into the future."
Attendees were joined by the Honourable Sam Rae MP, Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, who in his address to the group, reflected that dementia does not sit neatly within one system or affect people in the same way which presents challenges, but that good people find a way to work together on difficult problems.
Roundtable participants focused on six key interconnected areas of brain health and dementia risk reduction, earlier and more accurate diagnosis, supports to enable people to live with dementia as well as possible for as long as possible caring for carers, workforce capability and residential care. A range of challenges and potential solutions were explored including respite, system navigation, timely access to services, education and training and improving diagnostic pathways.
Participants committed to continuing to work together to improve outcomes for people living with dementia, their families and carers including opportunities for ongoing joint advocacy.
