$102 million expands National Dementia Support Program

The Morrison Government will invest $102 million to expand, strengthen and enhance Australia’s National Dementia Support Program.

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck said ensuring access to high quality and effective support for those living with dementia, their families and carers was a priority.

Between 386,200 and 472,000 people are living with dementia across the country, with an additional 1.6 million people caring for them.

“This funding underpins the Morrison Government’s focus to ensure our most vulnerable loved ones receive the high-quality personalised care they deserve,” Minister Colbeck said.

“It also more than doubles annual funding for the program and will be delivered by Dementia Australia.”

The investment means the National Dementia Helpline will start 24/7 operations ensuring support is only a phone call away at any time of the day or night, increasing the total volume of calls from around 35,000 up to 80,000 a year.

The expanded and enhanced support program will also deliver:

• Improved access to counselling, post-diagnostic support programs, education sessions, support groups, and peer mentoring for coaching, advice and carer support to around 30,000 people.

• Outbound call support following up with people recently diagnosed with dementia and their carers to connect them to information and services as early as possible;

• A targeted campaign to GPs and clinicians so people with dementia get access to more timely diagnosis and ongoing support; and

• counselling and other supports for up to 15,000 people diagnosed with dementia each year, and their carers.