Camilla Rowland, Chief Executive Officer of PCA, underscores the gravity of the situation, stating, “Dementia is the biggest health issue facing Australians over 65 years.” Rowland passionately advocates for the integration of dementia care and palliative care.
“We need to better integrate dementia care and palliative care so that the 400,000 Australians currently living with dementia can make the most of life – and for a lot of those people, that will mean many years of quality living and relationships..”
In pursuit of this noble goal, PCA and Dementia Australia have taken a significant step by revisiting their longstanding joint policy statement. The move amplifies their ongoing advocacy endeavours, which are poised to meet the escalating demand for comprehensive care.
“Demand for palliative care is increasing, we are on a trajectory towards a 50% increase in the next decade and the need doubling by 2050,” Rowland said highlighting the urgency of the situation.
“The growing number of Australians with dementia is a key driver,” Rowland emphasises. This assertion is further substantiated by a report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), forecasting that the number of individuals affected by dementia is anticipated to surpass 800,000 by 2058.
As Rowland stresses the need for an adept and accessible workforce, she noted, “Central to meeting that need is having a workforce that is trained and available.”
The pivotal joint policy statement underscores this crucial aspect and outlines nine significant recommendations:
Dementia Australia CEO Maree McCabe said, “Dementia is a terminal illness and appropriate palliative care is an essential element of quality care for people with dementia, and for their families and carers.”
Amidst the nuanced landscape of dementia care across diverse healthcare and community settings, McCabe underscored the urgency of developing streamlined services to foster effective palliative care experiences at home and within the community.
“Improving palliative care for people with dementia, no matter where they live, must be a policy priority, Australia-wide, across the states and territories,” McCabe added.
While the reform agenda spearheaded by Minister Butler, along with Minister Wells and Assistant Minister Kearney, sets the stage for transformative change, Rowland said, “But more needs to be done and we are ready to play our part.”
The collective dedication of PCA and Dementia Australia paints a hopeful picture of enhanced dementia and palliative care in Australia’s future.
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
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