The plan includes eight priority action areas to guide federal and state policy measures targeting dementia risk and care over the next 10 years.
The federal government has released its National Dementia Action Plan 2024-2034, featuring eight targets for increasing dementia awareness, reducing dementia risk and bolstering research and support services.
Developed collaboratively with state and territory governments with insight sought from health professionals, peak industry bodies and people living with dementia, the plan is designed to guide actions taken by federal and state legislators to improve dementia care in line with recommendations put forward by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
“Dementia is a national health priority for our government and the National Dementia Action plan reflects this,” Minister for Health Mark Butler said.
“This historic plan is a reminder that while we have made huge advancements in treatment there is more to be done to raise awareness, diagnose, and care for individuals and community impacted by dementia.”
The priorities listed in the plan include
- Advancing equity and human rights
- Addressing stigma and raising public awareness
- Working with individuals and communities to proactively reduce dementia risk and delay onset
- Improve diagnostic and post-diagnostic support
- Increase access to treatment and provide higher quality, more coordinated support for those living with dementia
- Bolster support for carers of people living with dementia
- Strengthen capabilities in dementia care and support across aged care and health workforces
- Greater investment in dementia research and improve data collection on dementia
Implementation of the plan will be phased across three collective priority frameworks, with each framework designed to set the agenda for action on the plan’s target areas across a three to four-year period. The first framework is set to be released in mid-2025.
Progress against the plan will be measured and reported annually via an online indicators dashboard set up by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare as part of the National Centre for Monitoring Dementia, with state and territory governments set to release annual reports on activities related to dementia outcomes and support services.
“The National Dementia Action Plan provides 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,” Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said.
“This means there will be greater focus on the impacts of dementia and availability of services now and how we can improve the experience of diagnosis, support and care for people with concerns about dementia, living with dementia and their families and carers in the future.
“Dementia Australia is committed to working with the government and across the sector on the delivery of the Action Plan and to ensure we have the right systems in place for all Australians impacted to be able to access appropriate services and more treatments as they become available.”
More information about the plan is available here.