New dementia guidelines to enhance care quality by 2026
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The Australian Government has announced a significant investment of $1.3 million to update the Clinical Practice Guidelines and Principles of Care for People with Dementia.
This funding, awarded to Monash University, aims to ensure that healthcare professionals have access to the most current, evidence-based practices in dementia care.
With dementia now causing the greatest burden of disease for Australians over 65, this update is crucial. Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells, emphasised the importance of this initiative: “We want our health professionals to have access to up-to-date and research informed clinical guidelines so they can continue to provide the highest standard of care to Australians living with dementia.”
The project will be led by the National Centre for Healthy Ageing, bringing together a team of national and international experts. Prof Velandai Srikanth, co-chair of the guideline development program, stated, “This important work will bring together a team of national and international clinical and academic experts in dementia care, along with partners such as Dementia Australia and other key organisations.”
Prof Simon Bell, another co-chair, highlighted that the guidelines will “reflect current evidence and best practice in dementia care, and be informed by end-user preferences and needs.” This approach ensures that the guidelines will be practical and relevant for those on the front lines of dementia care.
The updated guidelines, expected to be released in mid-2026, will cover a wide range of areas including dementia risk reduction, diagnosis, and management. As Prof Terence O’Brien from Monash University noted, this work will have a significant “impact on improved care for people living with dementia.”
Minister Wells summed up the project’s goals: “Updating these clinical guidelines will help improve the quality and consistency of care for people living with dementia and improve outcomes so they can live well with dementia.”
Related: $8M boost for dementia respite programs across Australia
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
