THE National Dementia Action Plan is an opportunity for those living with dementia to have their say.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics states that there were an estimated 219,000 Australians with dementia, a 12.7 percent increase from the 194,400 with the condition in 2015.

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Dementia Australia welcomes the opening of the Australian Government’s Department of Health and Aged Care National Dementia Action Plan (the Action Plan) consultation process and calls for people living with dementia, their families and carers, as well as health, disability and aged care professionals, and academics to contribute.

Dementia Australia Chief Operating Officer Anthony Boffa said the National Dementia Action Plan consultation process is an important opportunity for everyone who has firsthand experience of dementia to have their say and influence what needs to be at the forefront of the government’s attention.

“This includes people of all ages living with all forms of dementia, their families, carers and friends, people who work in primary care, health, acute or aged care, and researchers and academics,” Mr Boffa said.

“We know that there are up to half a million Australians living with dementia – which is projected to increase to 1.1 million people by 2058, so we welcome the government’s focus on ensuring the contribution of people living with dementia, their families and carers is central to the Action Plan from the outset.”

The Action Plan is a joint initiative between the Federal Government and state and territory governments.

It is a ten-year plan for the government to put people living with dementia, their families and carers at the centre of all action on dementia.

The consultation process aims to ensure that the voices of all people living with dementia and those involved in their care are reflected in Australia’s priorities for future action on dementia.

Feedback is invited on each of the seven draft objectives, as well as corresponding challenges and possible actions.

Objectives are: tackling stigma and discrimination, minimising risk, delaying onset and progression, improving diagnosis and post-diagnostic support and care,

improving treatment, coordination, and support along the dementia journey, supporting people caring for those living with dementia, building dementia capability in the workforce, and improving data and maximising the impact of dementia research and innovation.

“Through creating the Action Plan, the government is demonstrating a commitment to developing a more coordinated approach to dementia risk reduction, early diagnosis and improvements to services for people living with dementia, their families and carers,” Mr Boffa said.

“We support the Action Plan and will continue to work closely with the Federal Government to ensure that, when delivered, the Action Plan will be fully funded and provide a clear vision for the future, where all Australians understand dementia and all people living with all forms of dementia and their carers have quality of life, and that no one is left to experience dementia alone.”

Feedback will help inform the development of the Action Plan, which is expected to be finalised in 2023.

The feedback process is open until 31 January 2023.

Feedback can be provided by completing a survey which takes approximately fifteen minutes, online, via email, post or by calling 1800 565 789 to provide feedback over the phone or to request a hard copy of the paper and/or survey.

To access the National Dementia Action Plan consultation paper and for further details please visit www.agedcareengagement.health.gov.au/dementiaplan/.

For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.

An interpreter service is available.

By Marian SAMPSON