Dementia friendly communities – what do you want this election?
Dementia friendly communities should be a priority according to Alzheimer’s Disease International, which is calling on global leaders to help create societies where the inclusion of people living with dementia becomes part of everyday life.
PHOTO: Alzheimer's Australia believes dementia should be part of the election discussion.
On a global scale, a person develops dementia every three seconds, and if dementia care were a country, it would be the 18th largest economy.
The call follows the release of a report at the recent Alzheimer’s Disease International’s 31st International Conference in Budapest. The report, Dementia Friendly Communities: Key Principles and Global Developments, discusses the implementation of dementia friendly communities and the key principles that should underpin them; several Australian dementia friendly community initiatives are showcased in the report.
“There are numerous programs underway in all seven states across Australia,” says Alzheimer’s Australia National chief executive officer Carol Bennett.
"Our consumers have indicated to us that stigma and social isolation continue to be major issues following a diagnosis.”
Increased awareness and understanding of dementia, access to social activities, support to stay at home and appropriate healthcare are some of the priorities Alzheimer’s Australia has identified for creating dementia friendly communities.
According to Alzheimer’s Australia, more than 353,800 Australians are living with dementia and it’s estimated 1.2 million are involved in the care of a person with dementia. Unless there is a medical breakthrough, the number of people with dementia in Australia is estimated to hit almost 900,000 by 2050.
“People with dementia deserve to live a life of value and purpose in their own communities. We need to do more from a Government level right through to the grass roots level, to ensure all Australian communities are inclusive and friendly especially for people with dementia.” Ms Bennett says.
With the Australian general election touted to be held on 2 July 2016, Alzheimer’s Australia believes dementia should feature on the National agenda and form part of the election discussion. It has provided a submission to the Federal Treasurer to inform the 2016-17 Federal Budget to implement a comprehensive and nationally funded strategy.
What is important to you? If you think dementia should feature on the National Agenda and dementia friendly communities should be a priority, or there are other issues you’d like government to address, you can submit your views to the ABC’s:2016 Election: Your say