The commencement of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety in Adelaide is welcomed by the national peak body for all people impacted by dementia.
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe commends the Royal Commission and their intention to conduct extensive consultation around the country in the following months, with a focus on dementia and learning from mistakes of the past.
"An open forum for all involved in the aged care system to share their experience is essential to improving the safety of older Australians," Ms McCabe said.
"The Royal Commission is already shining a light on deficiencies in the system and continuing this momentum will assist to shift the pace of change or reform.
"People living with dementia, their families and carers, providers, government and health professionals need to have a clear understanding of the path forward, and their roles and responsibilities, when it comes to legislation, financial management and market transparency. We anticipate the Royal Commission will help to achieve this.
"Fundamentally, we want to ensure that dementia is core business for the sector – not just in principle but in practice.
"We need to see legislative changes that address the over-use and inappropriate use of medications and restraints, a focus on quality dementia care through the new Aged Care Quality Standards, and a focus on workforce levels, training and education.
"This week marks the beginning of transformation of the system that will result in the scale and scope of positive change that is required to ensure people living with dementia, their families and carers receive the best and most appropriate quality care and support.
"It is important to remember that the coming months may be challenging for many who have been directly impacted by dementia, bringing to light traumatic stories that may be confronting. Dementia Australia is here to support people living with dementia, their families and carers throughout this process and beyond.
"Dementia Australia calls on all organisations and media outlets reporting on the Royal Commission to be sensitive to how their language may impact on readers and viewers.
"To assist with this, Dementia Australia has the Dementia Language Guidelines resource and the National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500 at the end of television and radio news, on websites, online stories and in print available to audiences on how to seek
