Hard Times for Dementia Suffers and Carers

If you have dealt with someone suffering dementia this will not be surprising but Dementia patients and their families have given a scathing assessment of the quality of care available to them.

Alzheimer's Australia says dementia patients and their carers are being let down right across the health system, and it wants an extra $500 million in this year's budget to improve services and research.

And it says those with the disease who are from Indigenous or non-English speaking backgrounds are particularly badly served.

The Federal Government is not committing any more money, but says it will use the report to help decide how to improve the system.

The report was produced after consultation with about 1,000 dementia patients and their families around Australia.

It presents a disturbing picture of mistreatment, delayed diagnosis, confusion, and a lack of compassion or understanding from hospital and aged care home staff.

Alzheimer's Australia chief executive Glenn Rees says even after 12 years at the organisation he is shocked by some of the accounts.

Quotes from Alzheimer Australia's report

"My mum has been diagnosed for four years but there was something wrong 10 years before that."
"I was not once offered any medication, all the doctors said is dementia is just a part of ageing, get over it and move on."

"My mum doesn't speak English. There were no services available that met her needs."

"Twelve weeks ago mum could walk, talk and eat. Then after entering a nursing home, she quickly went downhill and suffered 14 falls and strokes. Now she cannot walk, talk or eat."

The report has recommended a comprehensive overhaul of home and residential care.

Alzheimer's Australia wants $500 million to be allocated in this year's budget to help dementia awareness, research and specialised care across the health system.

"Over $200 million of our $500 million, if the Government responds positively, would go into dementia research."

With the population aging it’s time the government started listening to what is going on out there.