Australian Health Ministers’ Conference

National Framework
for Action on Dementia
2006–2010

This Framework was prepared under the auspices of the Australian Health Ministers’
Conference (AHMC).
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May 2006

Contents

Foreword ............................................................................................ii
Introduction........................................................................................1
Understanding dementia and its impact.........................................2
Framework for action: Vision, Objectives,
Principles and Priorities for Action..................................................7
Developing the National Framework for Action on Dementia ............................8
Key Priority Areas ..............................................................................................9
Key Priority Area 1: Care and Support ...............................................................9
Key Priority Area 2: Access and Equity .............................................................12
Key Priority Area 3: Information and Education ...............................................13
Key Priority Area 4: Research...........................................................................14
Key Priority Area 5: Workforce and Training ....................................................15

Implementing and evaluating the framework ...............................16
Accountability and governance......................................................18
Glossary............................................................................................19
Appendix
Australian Government, and State and Territory Plans
supporting people living with dementia, their carers and families....................21

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010iForeword
Australia’s ageing population presents many challenges
and opportunities for our governments andcommunities. One of the most significant of theseis the predicted increase in the numbers of people now
and in the future who will be affected by dementia.
Currently around 200,000 Australians or 1 percent of
the population have dementia. It is predicted that by2016 dementia will be the major cause of disability forAustralians, overtaking cardiovascular disease, cancer
and depression. Some estimates suggest that by 2050,
nearly three quarters of a million Australians, or almost
3 percent of the population, will have dementia.

Most jurisdictions already have policy and programsin place to address issues relating to ageing anddementia. Through the National Framework for Action
on Dementia 2006–2010, Australian, State and Territory
Governments have committed to working together
and with other service providers and the community
to deliver a coordinated, effective support systemfor people with dementia, their carers and families.

Chair
Australian Health Ministers’ Conference

In November 2003 my mother, Hazel Hawke went public with the news that she had Alzheimer’s
disease. Although she is naturally reticent about talking about her personal difficulties, she wasdrawn to the idea of going public if it would decrease the stigma of the disease and help others.
We are delighted to hear that the Australian Health Ministers have developed a National
Framework for Action on Dementia. This is a great opportunity for people from all around
Australia to work together, to make life better for people living with dementia and their families.
We hope that a National Framework will make a difference in both attitudes to dementia
and care for people with dementia. No illness should carry a negative label. We also hope
it will help to find ways to reduce the risk of people developing dementia.
Sue Pieters-Hawke

ii

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010

Introduction
In January 2005, Australian Health Ministers jointly
agreed to the development of a National Framework
for Action on Dementia 2006–2010 (the Framework).
Developing the Framework has provided an opportunity
to create a strategic, collaborative and cost-effective
response to dementia across Australia.
Australian Health Ministers have led the developmentof the Framework working with Australian Community
Services and Aged Care Ministers. The Framework
is guided by a shared vision that seeks a better qualityof life for people with dementia, their carers andfamilies and identifies achievable goals for all Australian
governments that will make a positive difference.
The Framework recognises that this can only be achieved
if people with dementia are valued and respected
and the efforts of their carers and families are supported
and encouraged.
The Australian Health Ministers have identified fivekey priority areas for inclusion in the Framework: careand support; access and equity; information andeducation; research; and workforce and training.
These priority areas are fundamental to the qualityof life of people with dementia as well as having thepotential to yield the greatest benefits from theadoption of a national approach.
The Framework was developed in consultation withpeople with dementia, their carers and families,
the peak bodies that represent them, key stakeholders,and service providers, and represents a shared national
vision for action on dementia.

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010

The National Framework for Action on Dementia
2006–2010 looks beyond aged care to consider thehealth care and support dimensions of dementia.
It focuses on outcomes that can best be achieved
nationally, with the cooperation of the Australian,State and Territory Governments, rather than on any
individual jurisdiction’s initiatives. Housing and income
support, while key issues, are outside the scope of
the Framework.
The existing service system providing care and support
to people with dementia, their carers and families
is complex. Specialised and mainstream services offeredthrough the health and aged care systems, and attimes through the community care system, may present
as a maze of options with inherent risks of service
duplication and service gaps going unnoticed.
The Framework will help to coordinate existing
dementia care and support activities and share goodideas through the provision of a structure that brings
together the Australian Government and otherjurisdictional strategies to treat, improve care forand delay the onset or progression of dementia.
It will help develop a more responsive service systemthrough commitment from Australian, State andTerritory Governments to consistent outcomes while
maintaining flexibility in service delivery.

1

Understanding dementia and its impact

Dementia is a term used to describe a group of diseases
that affect the brain and cause a progressive decline
in the ability to think, remember and learn1. Dementia is
not a single specific disease. Dementia affects people
differently, and can impact differently on their carers
and families.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia,
and accounts for more than 50 percent of dementia
cases. The next most common form is vascular dementia,
which causes around 20 percent of cases. Other types ofdementia include frontal lobe dementia, Pick’s disease,
Lewy Body disease and alcohol-related dementia. People
may also develop dementia in relation to otherconditions including Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’sdisease, Down syndrome and HIV/AIDS. These disordersof the brain produce symptoms that may include:

memory losslanguage difficulties

difficulty with understandingdisorientation

changes in mood, behaviour or personalityhallucinations or delusions



wandering behaviours.

Conditions with similar symptoms to dementia
include stress, delirium, depression and the side effects
of some medications, therefore early and accurate
medical diagnosis is important where there seemto be changes in brain function.
Dementia is a growing health and social issue.
The prevalence of dementia in Australia is anticipatedto rise significantly over time2, as the proportion ofolder people in the population increases. People areliving longer. The number of Australians over the ageof 65 will increase rapidly over the next 20 years as the‘baby boomers’ reach retirement age. Although only
about 1 percent of people aged 60–64 show symptoms
of dementia, this increases to about 12 percent by age
80–84, and almost 40 percent of people aged over 94 3.
Although most people with dementia are older, dementia
is not a normal part of ageing. Dementia mostly affects
people over the age of 70. It is uncommon in people
under the age of 60, but can appear in people agedin their 40s or even younger.
Estimates suggest the number of people with dementia
under the age of 65 will rise from about 9,990 in 2005
to 14,220 in 2020.
In Australia women on average tend to live aroundfive years longer than men. As a result, women as agroup have a higher prevalence of dementia than men.
In 2005 women accounted for 61 percent of all people
with dementia, but by 2050 this is predicted to fallslightly to 58 percent. This change in the gender mixof people with dementia has implications for service
providers and planning for future dementia care andsupport, but is relatively small compared with theanticipated large rise in the total numbers.
Future projections of the numbers of people withdementia rest on a range of assumptions. These include
the assumption that the age-specific historical rates
summarised from research studies apply to Australia,
and will continue to apply. It also assumes that there
will be no improvement in our ability to prevent orcure dementia.
A great deal of progress has been made worldwide overrecent years in understanding dementia, how to treat
it and how to care for people at different stages ofdementia. Despite these advances, the actual causes of

1 The World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Diseases (2003) describes dementia as:“Dementia is a syndrome due to disease of the brain, usually of a chronic or progressive nature, in which there is disturbance of multiple higher cortical functions,
including memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension, calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgement. Consciousness is not clouded. The impairments ofcognitive function are commonly accompanied, and occasionally preceded, by deterioration in emotional control, social behaviour, or motivation. This syndrome occurs
in Alzheimer’s disease, in cerebrovascular disease, and in other conditions primarily or secondarily affecting the brain.”
2 This prediction is based on certain assumptions, including: current demographic trends continuing; minimal advances in prevention, delay or reversal of certain
dementias, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
3 Access Economics. Dementia estimates and projections: Australian states and territories. Report for Alzheimer’s Australia. February 2005 (Table 3).
These estimates refer to moderate to severe dementia.

2

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010

A holistic model for living positively with dementia

Community
 awareness and acceptance realise potential in all aspects of life participate

Carers and family capacity to cope
 information and support
 access to respite

Care and services
Personwithdementia

Easy, seamless access to: information and support
 early, appropriate diagnosis

and intervention

 education

 appropriate quality caremany dementias, including Alzheimer’s disease, remain amystery. However, as clinicians and researchers continue
to increase our understanding of dementia, there is
growing optimism that it may eventually be possible to
avoid, prevent, delay or more effectively treat dementia.
New forms of support are also being developed forcarers and the families of people with dementia.
It is clear that a variety of approaches is needed to better
understand dementia. The general public, people withdementia, their carers and families want accurate
and appropriate information about healthy ageing.
They also want clinicians to be able to use effective
and appropriate assessment tools to assess and screen
people with dementia or who may develop dementia.
Effort is needed to better understand both the causesof dementia and the needs of people with dementia.
Through the Australian Research Council and the
National Health and Medical Research Council, theAustralian Government funds dementia research thatcovers all aspects of medical, health and behaviouralsciences and social services research. This research forms
an important part of the general momentum that
Australian Governments are encouraging aroundresearch on ageing. Mental functioning and age related
disabilities, including neurodegenerative diseases,
which cause dementia, have been identified as key
research themes. Multi-disciplinary research has beenencouraged on these subjects.

Recent research has revealed the significant role thatgenes or their biochemical pathways play in dementia.
However, it remains unclear what contribution genes
in and of themselves have in the development ofdementia, as against genetic risk in conjunction with
exposure to environmental risk factors. A number offorms of dementia have obvious causes, such as brain
damage from substance abuse and trauma, dementia
related to HIV infection, and vascular dementia.
Some research has suggested that factors that influence
brain development or establish a cognitive reserve
can impede the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.
Such a cognitive reserve could potentially offer aprotective mechanism for some forms of dementia4.
For dementia with clear-cut environmental causes,
intervening to eliminate or reduce those causes would
reduce the incidence of dementia. Thus general strategies
to reduce substance abuse, trauma, and HIV infection, and"Allow family members to recognise the possible earlysigns of memory loss in their loved one without fear, andencourage them to seek early diagnosis and treatment,
rather than 'deny' the early signs, hoping they will pass, orthat they can keep it a hidden secret, for fear of social
rejection from their community"
Carer feedback to consultation on the National
Framework for Action on Dementia

4 Bowden JD, Dementia Epidemiology Kukull WA, Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington (2002)

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–20103

general strategies to improve vascular health, would all
have a role to play in reducing the incidence of dementia.
In the particular case of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people, general improvement of the socialand emotional health and wellbeing of communities
is needed, and this would have benefits for reducing
dementia5 from some particular causes. However, any
increase in survival ultimately tends to increase theprevalence of dementia, simply because more people
survive into the high-prevalence age groups.
At present, little is known about the prevalence andimpact of dementia in Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander communities. The review of the evidence
by Pollit5 notes that the ’concept of dementia in old age
in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities is ‘intrinsically paradoxical’ as mortality
is so high that few Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
people reach old age. However, the higher morbidity
rates, especially cardiovascular disease in Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander people, suggest that dementia
may pose a greater problem at earlier ages in thesecommunities. This is consistent with a community
survey6 of Aboriginal people living in six small towns
in North Queensland, which found dementia rates
of 20 percent amongst the 133 Aboriginal people(3 percent of the Aboriginal population) aged over 65.
Further research is required in order to plan and develop
effective supports for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people, their carers, families and communities.
People born overseas make up around 25 percent of theAustralian population and 27 percent of Australian born
people have at least one parent who was born overseas.
Such statistics demonstrate that a significant proportionof the Australian population come from culturally andlinguistically diverse (CALD) communities. People fromthese backgrounds have as equal a risk of developing
dementia as others. However, people from CALD
communities who have dementia may need services,
information and support provided in a language
other than English that can assist them to accesssupport and care.

People with a mental illness or pre-existing cognitive
disability who develop dementia while accounting
for a relatively small percentage of all people withdementia, require specific planning to meet the greaterlevel of need that arises from the added burden of
disability dementia may impose.

"People with dementia for whom English is a second
language regress to their original language and (like otherpeople with dementia) relive their earlier life experiences.
In many cases the memories from war and its associatedtrauma become vivid again".
HACC worker feedback to Consultation on the National
Framework for Action on Dementia

People with Down syndrome have been found to have adementia prevalence rate of between 20 and 55 percent
in those aged 50 to 59 compared with a rate of 1 percent
for the rest of the population7. Comprehensive linkages
between dementia services and other parts of the healthcare and disability support systems are required to meetthe needs of people with a dual diagnosis.
Dementia affects people and their families in many different
ways. Some carers and people with dementia suggestthat they often feel they are no longer valued. Because
dementia affects people’s physical and mental abilities
it can produce strong negative reactions in others.
This stigma associated with dementia can lead to people
withdrawing from activities they enjoy and can eventuallylead to social isolation and an increased risk of depression.
Dementia also has a major impact on the lives of
those who care for people with dementia. Many people
with dementia currently live in the community,
One moment you are a vital intimate partner in yourrelationships, the next you are merely a custodial
obligation like a pet, a mortgage or yesterday’s
laundry…and expected to withdraw from the world’s
stage, assigned only the smallest walk-on parts.”
Feedback to the National Conference of Alzheimer’s
Australia (2001)

5 Pollitt PA. The problem of dementia in Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: An overview. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 1997; 12:155–163.
6 Zann S. Identification of support, education and training needs of rural/ remote health care service providers involved in dementia care. Rural Health Support Education andTraining (RHSET) project progress Report. Northern Regional Health Authority, Queensland – cited in Pollit (5)7 Zigman W, Schupf N, Haveman M, et al. The epidemiology of Alzheimer’s disease in mental retardation: results and recommendations from an international conference
Journal of Intellectual Disability Research. 1997; The quoted prevalences of dementia in people with Down syndrome are: 0–4 percent under 30 years of age;
2–33 percent for 30–39 years of age; 8–55 percent for 40–49 years of age; 20–55 percent for 50–59 years of age; 29–75 percent for 60–69 years of age.

4

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010

supported by families and friends. Family members
and carers may face real challenges in providing careand support, and people report that being a carerof a person with dementia can, at times, be an isolating
and frustrating experience.

A report investigating the economic impact of dementia
identified that in 2002 the Australian Government
spent more than $3.2 billion supporting people withdementia, with 88 percent of this money funding
residential care placements. The report also identified
that in 2002, over 5,000 Australians died prematurely
as a result of complications related to dementia8.

The need to support carers of people with dementia
is crucial. However many people with dementia do
not have a carer. There is growing evidence of anincrease in single person households amongst older
Australians. This is particularly true for older Australianwomen who, often as a result of outliving a spouse,
live on their own in later years. There is a needto develop specific strategies to meet the needsof people with dementia who do not have a carer.

It has been estimated that there are 40,000 more
people with dementia now than in 2002. This represents
nearly a 25 percent increase in dementia prevalence.
Undoubtedly, this rise in prevalence is matchedby the rising cost associated with caring for andsupporting people with dementia.
“The significant change in prevalence estimates as a resultof these factors underscores the sensitivity of the
projections to such changes, lending caution to theinterpretation and use of the forecasts. Indeed, more
substantial events, such as research or treatment
breakthroughs that enabled the delay of dementia onset,
would produce substantial reductions in the future numberof cases and in the real costs of dementia”.

"Often the only 'friends' left are the paid carers.
Family carers as a consequence often feel isolated
as well as exhausted".
"Being a carer is like being on an emotional roller coaster"Feedback to the Consultation on the National Framework
for Action on Dementia

Australian Bureau of Statistics

Change in prevalence for dementia, 1994 to 203110
NumberMales

300,000

FemalesRate
108200,000
6
4

100,000

2
0

0
1994

2001 2006 2011 2016 2021 2026 2031 1994

2001 2006 2011 2016 2021 2026 2031

Year
Number of cases

Standardized rate per 1,000

8 Access Economics (2003) The Dementia Epidemic: Economic Impact and Positive Solutions for Australia (Alzheimer’s Australia).
9 ibid10 Vos, T, Goss, J, Begg, S, Mann, N. Unpublished paper Australian Burden of disease and injury study: Projected health care costs report. Unpublished report preparedby the University of Queensland and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–20105

A large increase in health care costs, mostly driven
by ageing and general population increases, is
expected over the next 30 years. Ageing of the
population in particular will have an increasing impact
on expenditure for dementia in the next 30 years.
The projected change in health expenditure for people
with dementia and Parkinson’s disease from 2000–01
to 2030–31 is $6.9 billion, from $2.4 billion to$9.3 billion. This represents the largest increase inprojected expenditure for this period for diseases
identified as responsible for high disease burden.
In comparison, mental disorders and cancer are
projected to decrease as a proportion of GDP overthe same period. Similarly there are continuing
declines in mortality from cardiovascular disease,
tobacco-related cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease and alcohol related disease9.

Change in total health expenditure (constant 2000–01 prices) for selected disease groups 2000–01 to 2030–3111$ million$ million

10,00010,000

9,000

9,000

8,000

8,000

7,000

7,000

6,000

6,000

5,000

5,000

4,000

4,000

3,000

3,000

2,000

2,000

1,000

1,000

0

0
2000- 2005- 2010- 2015- 2020- 2025- 203001
06
11
16
21
26
31
Musculoskeletal conditions
Sense disorders
Dementia and Parkinsonís dise ase
Mental disorders

2000- 2005- 2010- 2015- 2020- 2025- 203001
06
11
16
21
26
31
Cancer
CVD prevention
CVD treatment
Diabetes

11 Vos, T, Goss, J, Begg, S, Mann, N. Unpublished paper Australian Burden of disease and injury study: Projected health care costs report. Unpublished report preparedby the University of Queensland and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare for the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.

6

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010

Framework for action

Vision, Objectives, Principles
and Priorities for Action
The National Framework for Action on Dementia
2006–2010 provides an overarching vision for Australia’s
dementia care and support system with clear objectives
and principles that are supported by all AustralianGovernments. The five priority areas for action havebeen identified in consultation with people living withdementia, their carers and families and other stakeholders
and are fundamental to improving quality of life forpeople with dementia. For each of the priority areas
there are outcomes, actions, a lead agency and key
performance indicators that measure progress.
The vision, objectives, principles and priorities foraction are outlined below. The process used to develop
the Framework and the actions in each priority area
are detailed in the following pages.

VisionA better quality of life for people living with dementia and their carers and families.

Objectives
Australians working together to make a positive difference to the lives of people with dementia,
their carers and families.
Australian Governments, along with service providers and the broader community, working together
to create an accessible, seamless pathway for people with dementia, their carers and families.

Principles
1. People with dementia are valued and respected. Their right to dignity and quality of life is supported.
2. Carers and families are valued and supported and their efforts are recognised and encouraged.
3. People with dementia, their carers and families are central to making choices about care.
4. Service responses recognise peoples’ individual journeys.
5. All people with dementia, their carers and families receive appropriate services that respond to their social,
cultural or economic background, location and needs.
6. A well-trained supported workforce delivers quality care.
7. Communities play an important role in the quality of life of people with dementia, their carers and families.

Priorities for Action
Priority Area 1: Care and Support services that are flexible and can respond to the changing needsof people with dementia, their carers and families.
Priority Area 2: Access and Equity to dementia information, support and care for all people with dementia,
their carers and families regardless of their location or cultural background.
Priority Area 3: Information and Education that is evidence-based, accurate and provided in a timely
and meaningful way.
Priority Area 4: Research into prevention, risk reduction and delaying the onset of dementia as wellas into the needs of people with dementia, their carers and families.
Priority Area 5: Workforce and Training strategies that deliver skilled, high quality dementia care.

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–20107

Developing the National Framework
for Action on Dementia
Australian Health Ministers met in January 2005 andagreed to the development of a national framework foraction on dementia. A working group of officials fromall jurisdictions was formed and developed a consultation
paper12. The consultation paper was circulated widelyfrom May 2005. States and Territories convened
consultation forums and sought feedback from consumers,
carers, peak bodies, industry and professional bodies.
Consultations culminated with a national forum,
which was attended by around 70 stakeholders.
This forum endorsed the development of the National
Framework for Action on Dementia and supported
the five key priority areas for action (care and support,
access and equity, information and education, research,
and workforce and training), which Health Ministers
had previously identified.
The National Framework for Action on Dementia
was developed by representatives from States andTerritories and the Australian Government basedon consultation feedback.
A range of government policies, strategies and priorities
inform the National Framework for Action on Dementia
2006–2010. These include the Australian Government’s
programs and initiatives and State and Territory dementia
plans. In turn, the Framework will assist in guiding thefurther policy developments of Australian governments.
The National Action Plan for Dementia Care 1992–97
focused primarily on the community and residential

aged care system. Since then, other national policies andstrategies have been developed for caring and supporting
people with dementia, their carers and families.
In 2005, the Australian Government’s Helping people
with dementia, and their carers – making dementia
a National Health Priority 2005 budget measurefocused on research, improved care initiatives andearly intervention programs; Extended Aged Care at
Home (EACH) dementia places; and dementia training
for aged care and community workers.
Other national initiatives relating to broader health,ageing and community care issues that have influenced
the development of the National Framework for Action
on Dementia 2006–2010 include:

A New Strategy for Community Care
– The Way Forward (2004)

National Palliative Care Strategy (2000)



National Plan for Improving the Care of Older People
across the Acute Care Continuum (2004)

National Health Workforce Strategic Framework(2004)

The National Mental Health Plan 2003–2008

beyondblue, National Depression Initiative (2000)



National Strategy for an Ageing Australia (2001)

These initiatives have significant links with the National
Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010(Table 1). Importantly the Framework seeks to build
on established policy initiatives as well as highlighting
where gaps in service delivery may be occurring.

Table 1. National policy linkages with the Key Priority Areas

Care and Support

Access and Equity

Informationand Education

Research

Workforceand Training

National Palliative

National Plan forbeyondblue

Building Ageing Research

National Aged Care

Improving the Care

(2000)

Capacity Project (2001)

Workforce Strategy

Care Strategy
A New Strategy for
Community Care
– The Way Forward(2004)The National
Mental Health Plan
2003–2008of Older People
across the Acute
Care Continuum(2004)

National Research(2005)

Priorities (2002) including

National Health

Promoting and Maintaining

Workforce Strategic

Good Health: sub categories;

Framework (2004)‘Ageing Well, Ageing
Productively’; and‘Promoting Health andPreventing Disease’

12 Australian Health Ministers’ Conference, National Framework for Action on Dementia, 2005 Consultation Paper.

8

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010

The National Framework for Action on Dementia
2006–2010 will build on a solid foundation ofdementia plans developed by the States and Territories.
In the context of these initiatives, the National
Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010
looks beyond aged care to consider the health careand support implications of dementia. It focuses on
outcomes that can best be achieved nationally, withthe cooperation of the Australian, State and Territory
Governments, rather than on any individual jurisdiction’s
initiatives. A summary of state and territory dementia
plans and the work of the Australian Government
on dementia are located in the Appendix.

Key Priority Area 1: Care and Support
Outcomes
Effective, appropriate, quality and accessible careis provided:across all settings and geographical locations

focusing on person centred planning

through involving carers and family members

allowing seamless transition for people withdementia between the different types of care.

Challenges


Diagnosis, assessment, care and support isfundamental to enhancing the quality of life forpeople with dementia, their carers and families.
People with dementia and their carers require networksof care and support that are well coordinated withclear pathways between options that are flexible
and respond to people’s changing needs.

Networks that plan care and support services forpeople with dementia need to operate at a local levelwith community participation in the planning process.

Dementia specific versus mainstream care andsupport for people with dementia is a significant
issue that requires further investigation. Access todementia sensitive mainstream services is essential
for people with dementia and their carers.

More flexible approaches to supported
accommodation in the home and in residential
care facilities are required.

Community Care Review provides opportunites
to strengthen care and support for people
with dementia.

Key Priority Areas
The following five key priority areas are fundamental
to improving the quality of life of people withdementia, their families and carers, and are thefocus of the National Framework for Action on
Dementia 2006–2010:
1. Care and Support
2. Access and Equity
3. Information and Education
4. Research
5. Workforce and Training.
The Australian Government and States and Territories
are working in close partnership to establish aframework to co-ordinate delivery of the most effective
and responsive practices for care and support.
While most priority areas under the National Framework
for Action on Dementia 2006–2010 are the collective
responsibility of all governments, either the AustralianGovernment or States and Territories will take the leadfor key priorities for which they are primarily responsible.
For example, the Australian Government has primary
responsibility for residential aged care, and State andTerritory Governments are primarily responsible for acutecare services. Lead governments are indicated in thetables proceeding.

How will we knowImproved availability of multidisciplinary andintegrated care.



Increased availability of models of care that meetthe needs of individuals, carers and family members.

Actions in the tables below that are shaded have been
identified as having immediate priority.

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–20109

Shaded areas indicate actions with immediate priority
Priorities for action
Develop service plans to meet the needs of people
with dementia, their carers and families.
Include analysis of the potential impact of
establishing dementia specific services and identify
mechanisms to implement dementia sensitive
practices into mainstream services.

Develop and/or identify effective and appropriate
cognitive assessment tools to assess andscreen people with dementia or who may
develop dementia.

Work with appropriate accreditation bodies
to incorporate dementia care standards.

Primary Health: support primary health care
professionals and encourage GPs to broaden
their skills in identifying, referring and managing
people with dementia.

Actions

Lead agency

Map service pathways at a national andstate/territory level.

Australian Government

Assess service gaps.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Incorporate into service planning.

Australian Government
and States and Territories

Dementia addressed in community carereview intake and comprehensive
assessment processes.

Australian Government
through Community Care
Review

Evaluate and validate a selection ofexisting diagnosis/assessment tools.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Incorporate residential care standards.

Australian Government

Incorporate community care standards.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Incorporate acute care standards.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Agreed approach for GPs in identifying,referring and managing over 75 age group.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Assess results of University of Newcastle
research into the detection andmanagement of dementia in generalpractice, funded by NHMRC.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Work with divisions of GPs and other
Australian Government andprimary care bodies to identify opportunities. States and Territories
Community Care: identify and promote the best
ways to assist people with dementia, their families
and carers to navigate the community care system.

Provide information about care pathways
available in plain English for people withdementia, their families and carers.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Respite Care: review, develop and promote
flexible respite care models.

Ongoing development and implementationof flexible respite care options.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Acute Care: identify acute care services that are
sensitive to people with dementia and the needsof their carers and families.

Review the applicability of the principlesof the From Hospital to Home Action Plan,
developed by the AHMAC Care of Older
Australians Working Group.

NSW/VIC

Develop dementia sensitive principles
for Acute care services.

NSW/VIC

10

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010

Priorities for action

Actions

Lead agency

Project demand for residential care places
for people with dementia.

Australian Government

Increase places available to meet demand.

Australian Government

Palliative Care: develop workforce, education andtraining initiatives for health professionals andcommunity care providers that inform them about
palliative care and the needs of people with dementia.

Develop palliative care workforce,
education and training initiatives
for health professionals and community
care providers.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Behavioural issues: identify and promote evidence
based service models and funding arrangements
for the assessment, management, support andaccommodation of people with dementia andbehavioural issues.

Identify evidence based service models
and funding arrangements.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Promote evidence based service models
and funding arrangements.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Residential Care: plan to meet the demand forresidential care places for people with dementia.

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–201011

of care options. Others report that cultural andlanguage barriers impact on their ability to accessservices and some people have their choices restricted
due to financial limitations.

Key Priority Area 2: Access and Equity
OutcomesAll people with dementia, their carers and families
should be able to obtain quality services that suit theirneeds, when they need them, regardless of where
they live, their health status, their age, their cultural
background, or financial and social circumstances.



ChallengesMany people with dementia and their carers reportexperiencing difficulties accessing adequate andappropriate support. For some it is their location
in a rural or remote area that limits the availability

Individuals or communities who may be disadvantagedin accessing information, care and/or support require
additional attention. Better ways are needed
to identify, assess and support all people withdementia particularly for individuals who may bedisadvantaged when accessing services.

How we will knowLevel of improvement of accessibility to care.

Shaded areas indicate actions with immediate priority
Priorities for action

Actions

Lead agency

Identify the specific barriers to the access of care andsupport including:Identify barriers to access.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Share information acrossjurisdictions

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Develop appropriate service models to meet the needs ofdiverse groups.

Develop service models.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Develop specific strategies within dementia plans andpolicies that are informed by the Australian Health Ministers’
Advisory Council’s Cultural Respect Framework for Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander Health 2004–2009.

Report progress to AHMAC.

Australian Government andStates and Territories



Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peopleYounger peoplePeople who are homelessPeople who are financially disadvantaged

People without carers

People with dementia and another cognitive impairment/
dual diagnosis

People living in remote and rural locations



People from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

People living alone

12

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010meaningful way. Carers require different information
at different stages of dementia, including advice
and guidance from professionals as well as
information about the experiences of other carers.

Key Priority Area 3: Informationand Education
Outcomes

People with dementia, their carers and families
can easily access appropriate information, educationand support services.

The need to support and recognise the emotional,
psychological and physical needs of carers.

The community is aware and understands
dementia and how to assist people with dementia,
their carers and families.

How will we knowImproved access to information and education
about dementia.

Information sharing between jurisdications is effective.



Increased community awareness of dementia.



Availability of legal framework to enableinter-jurisdiction recognition of Guardianship,advance care planning and advance care directives,
wills and powers of attorney.

Challenges


People with dementia, their carers and families
need access to information and education that isaccurate and provided in a useful, timely andShaded areas indicate actions with immediate priority
Priorities for action

Actions

Lead agency

Refer the issues of legislative barriers regarding
Guardianship, advance care planning and advancecare directives, wills and powers of attorney toAustralian Government, State and Territory
Attorneys General Departments.

Considered by AHMC.

NSW

Implement AHMC decisions.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Improve information sharing between jurisdictions.

Create mechanisms for regular
information sharing opportunities.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Undertake community awareness programs basedon agreed key messages including targeted
information campaigns to specific community groups.

Undertake dementia literacy survey as abaseline of public awareness.

Australian Government

Develop agreed key messages.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Develop and undertake community
awareness.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Increase the awareness of broader service provider
network that interact with people with dementia
and their carers eg Centrelink, police, pharmacies,
transport workers, banks.

Develop awareness resources.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Establish links between specialist dementia
information services and other information services.

Establish national linkages.

Australian Government

Establish State and Territory linkages.

States and Territories

Strategies in place.

States and Territories

Jurisdictions have strategies in place to addresselder abuse, including in relation to dementia.

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–201013



Key Priority Area 4: Research
Outcomes

Research is directed to the cause, cure and careof dementia.

Research is translated into practice and is promoted
and available to those who need it.

Research findings are promoted more broadly
in the community.

Research is also needed into what support,
care and education works best for groups withdiverse needs such as:– Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people– Younger people– People who are homeless– People without carers– People with dementia and other cognitive
impairments

Challenges– People living in remote and rural locations– People from culturally and linguisticallydiverse backgrounds

A variety of approaches to research are needed
to better understand dementia. The general public,
people with dementia, their carers and families
want accurate and appropriate information about
healthy ageing. Effort is needed to better understandboth the causes of dementia and the needs ofpeople with dementia and their carers.

Shaded areas indicate actions with immediate priority– People who are financially disadvantaged.

How will we know

Funds spent on dementia research as a percentage
of total funds spent on health research nationally.

Extent to which practice guidelines and service
models are based on research findings.

Level of dissemination of dementia research findings.

Priorities for action

Actions

Lead agency

Establish key areas for national research.

Establish mechanism for developing andreviewing key areas for national research.

Australian Government

Identify key areas for national research.

Australian Government

Review key areas for research

Australian Government

Promote and disseminate agreed key areas forresearch.

Disseminate to key stakeholders andworkforce.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Identify current and new funding sources for dementia
research on the agreed key research priorities.

Funding sources identified.

Australian Government

Promote the results of research including
community, acute and residential care.

Identify and implement the most appropriate
ways to promote the results of research.

Australian Government

Research the projected prevalence of dementia,
including prevalence among groups with diverse
needs.

Report findings.

Australian Government

Design and implement uniform and effective data
standards and systems which can be used in all
jurisdictions and which ensure dementia data items
are included in key minimum data set (MDS).

Establish data standards.

Australian Government

Implement data standards.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Identify and implement the most appropriate
ways to enhance existing practice.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Enhance existing practice based on
research findings.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Translate research into practice.

14

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010

Key Priority Area 5: Workforce
and TrainingDiagnosis is essential for a person with dementia
to be advised and supported to follow the mostappropriate pathway, linkages and referrals fortheir needs. Unfortunately, in some rural andremote areas, and for some disadvantaged groups,
diagnosis does not occur or is problematic given
the existing limited distribution of diagnosticians.



Review the incentives and disincentives for recruitment
and retention of the dementia workforce.

Outcomes

A skilled and informed workforce is available
to care for and support people with dementia,
their carers and families.

Challenges

A confident, informed and skilled workforce isessential for providing high quality dementia care.
Attracting and retaining staff to work in dementia
care is a significant challenge. Increasingly the health,community and aged care workforce needs to beable to respond to people with dementia.

How will we knowIncreased access to education, training andinformation on dementia.

Improved recruitment and retention of theaged care workforce.

Shaded areas indicate actions with immediate priority
Priorities for action

Actions

Lead agency

Identify and promote linkages between the Frameworkand national and jurisdiction workforce strategies
including National Health Workforce Strategic Frameworkand the National Aged Care Workforce Strategy.

Identify and promote dementia
related workforce issues.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Identify incentives and barriers to participation indementia care and the incentives and disincentives
for recruitment and retention of the dementia workforce.

Undertake review.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Include dementia in training and curricula for relevant
health, community care and aged care professionals.

Seek cooperation from relevant
agencies/bodies.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Promote flexible strategies for professional
development such as Telehealth.

Develop and implement strategies.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Promote interdisciplinary professional development.

Identify and promote opportunities
and benefits.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Develop resources and promote effective training
strategies to manage challenging behaviours.

Identify existing resources.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

Develop new resources.

Australian Government

Promote existing and new resources.

Australian Government andStates and Territories

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–201015

Implementing and evaluating
the framework
Roles and Responsibilities
The National Framework for Action on Dementia
2006–2010 is a national policy and implementation
plan for a coordinated national approach to improve
the quality of life of people living with dementia, theircarers and families.
The Framework will significantly contribute to meetingthe needs of people with dementia, their carers andfamilies through a national approach to five priorities:

improved care and support

improved access and equity

information and education

promoting and encouraging relevant dementia
research

an appropriately skilled and supported workforce.

The Framework aims to implement these priorities by:endorsing a common set of principles to underpin
policy, planning and service delivery for people withdementia, their families and carersreaching agreement on the most cost-effectivemeans of jointly addressing key priorities for action
on dementia



considering opportunities for cost-sharing
arrangements between governments to fundagreed priority areas that may include one-off
projects and recurrent servicesreviewing existing dementia care and support services
to develop an evidence base of best practicesetting up a cooperative process for locallycommissioned work and sharing information
on best practices



proposing nationally-agreed key areas for research
relevant to the current needs in dementia care,and work with key stakeholders to support adementia care research agenda

agreeing a core data set and related definitions
for dementia care and support services

developing national quality standards for dementia
care and support services to benchmark services,performance and outcomes16

negotiating a common process for monitoring,evaluating and reporting on improvements indementia care and support services.

Underpinning the Framework is the recognition thata diverse range of government and non-government
agencies have responsibility for providing services
to people with dementia, their carers and families.
The Australian Government and State and Territory
Governments have responsibilities for providing
services for people with dementia and play a key rolein the development and implementation of dementia
policies and programs.
There is much to be gained by continuing to strengthen
relationships between the Australian Government andStates and Territories governments, non-governmentorganisations and consumers. Fostering a sharedcommitment with stakeholders will be a feature of thedetailed implementation and evaluation strategy.
The National Framework for Action on Dementia
2006–2010 and the Australian Government’s 2005
Federal Budget initiative, Helping people with dementia,
and their carers – making dementia a National HealthPriority intersect in many areas. The area of researchis one example of common priorities for action.
Both initiatives advocate the importance of ongoing
research into consumer care needs, best practicedementia care and service delivery models.
The Framework is informed by, and will inform thedevelopment of, State and Territory dementia policy,
programs and plans.
The Framework will allow everyone involved in providing
dementia care and support, to share what they know
about dementia and to work together to develop thebest possible models of care. Stakeholders include
people with dementia, their carers and families, different
levels and areas of government, peak bodies, service
providers, and health professionals.
The Framework is also intended to inform policy
and service developments leading to more consistent,
cost-effective approaches to dementia research,assessment, treatment and care, to minimise duplicationof effort and funding.

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010

The Framework provides an overarching structurethat all Australian Governments have committed
to implementing. For a range of historical andconstitutional reasons the various levels of government
in Australia have different obligations for service
provision for people with dementia, their carers andfamilies. For example, the Australian Government funds
and monitors General Practitioner and residential agedcare services, whereas State and Territory Governments
have responsibility for primary and acute care services.
In developing the National Framework for Action on
Dementia 2006–2010 it was intended that a morecoordinated and seamless transition for people withdementia between the various government services
and programs be achieved.

Together the AustralianGovernment, and State andTerritory Governments will:Collaborate to work towards best practices
in dementia care and support services withservice agencies and community groups.

Move towards the delivery of a seamless continuumof care and support services that respond to thechanging needs of people with dementia.

Collaborate to identify the conditions under which
support services can be flexible and what typesof services can best respond to individual needs.

Ensure there are clear entry points for services thatare sensitive to the needs of people with dementia.

Work to improve integration of AustralianGovernment funded health, aged and community
care services that support people with dementia,
their carers and families.



Support the development and delivery ofdementia curricula for training a range of health,aged and community care workers.

Work co-operatively with service providers
and consumers to encourage the adoptionof the Framework.

Work closely with the carers and families ofpeople with dementia to provide appropriate
support for carers, that recognises the emotional
impact of caring for a person with dementia.

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010Deliver services for people with dementia that are
sensitive to the needs of individuals, their carers andtheir families, including people from culturally andlinguistically diverse backgrounds, Aboriginal andTorres Strait Islander people, younger people withdementia, and people living in rural and remote areas.

Fund and monitor care and support services thatassist people with dementia remain at home.

Provide funding to enable promotion ofcomprehensive, accurate and accessible information
about: advances in research on the causes ofdementia; evidence-based best practice models
of care and support; the rights and needs of people
with dementia, their carers and families.

Consult with peak dementia organisations andservice providers in relation to government policy
formulation around dementia and establish
mechanisms to promote strong relationships.



The Health Policy Priorities Principal Committee(HPPPC) will oversee the implementation of the
National Framework for Action on Dementia
2006–2010. The HPPPC will report to Australian
Health Ministers and will be responsible for:– Providing adequate and timely information
to Health Ministers and Community Services
Ministers regarding the implementation andevaluation of the National Framework for
Action on Dementia 2006–2010.
– Consulting with people with dementia, theircarers and families as well as service providers
and peak bodies that represent them ondevelopments and initiatives of the National
Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010.
– Making recommendations to Governments
regarding new information, research andemerging issues that relate to the livesof people with dementia.
– Disseminating information and models
of best practice for services for people withdementia, their carers and families between
various jurisdictions.
– Developing and implementing an evaluation
strategy for the National Framework for
Action on Dementia 2006–2010.

17

Accountability and governance

The need for clear and transparent accountability
regarding priorities for action emerged as a major
theme from the national consultations with people
with dementia, their carers and families, and service
providers. Appropriate mechanisms are required toensure accountability for resources and the achievementof outcomes. These mechanisms need to span sectors
at both federal and state/territory level. Monitoring will

occur through the Australian Health Ministers Advisory
Council (AHMAC) and the Australian Health Ministers
Conference (AHMC). The Health Policy Priorities Principal
Committee will be responsible to report to AHMAC
and AHMC. Additional reports for information will bemade to the Community Services Ministers Conference(Diagram 1), and other relevant State and Territory
Ministers will be involved as appropriate.

Diagram 1. National Framework for Action on Dementia Governance

AHMC

AHMAC

CSMC

Health Policy Priorities
Principal Committe

CSMAC

National Framework for
Action on Dementia

NSW

Northern
Territory

Queensland

Victoria

South
Australia

Australian
CapitalTerritory

Western
Australia

Tasmania

AustralianGovernment

Key:

18

AHMC – Australian Health Ministers Conference

CSMC – Community Services Ministers Conference

AHMAC – Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council

CSMAC – Community Services Ministers’ Advisory Council

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010

Glossary

Acute care – care provided usually as a resultof a medical crisis. Includes care provided inemergency departments and inpatient hospital care.
Advance Care Directive – (also termed “living will”
or “refusal of treatment certificate”) document
in some cases formal and legally endorsed that states
instructions for the care to be implemented in theevent of future decisional incapacity.
Challenging behaviours – disturbed behaviour
that may include agitation, aggression or vocalisationthat impacts on the care and quality of life of a personwith dementia.
CACP – Community Aged Care Package, a packageof services and assistance to support older people
who live in the community.
Care pathway – an individual’s journey through thecare system.
Care coordination – identifying care and support
options and strategically planning a person’s care.
Community care – care that is provided to a personin their community as opposed to care that is provided
in a residential facility.
Carer – usually a family member or friend. Their work
is based on a pre-existing relationship and is unpaid
and often unrecognised. The primary carer is the person
who has provided the most assistance to the person
in relation to self-care, mobility and communication,and other needs.

Depression – a mood disorder that presents
as a pervasive and relentless sense of despair.
A lack of interest in life, weight loss, loss of appetite,
feelings of uselessness and sleep disturbance are someof the more common symptoms.
Dual diagnosis – the co-existence of two or moreconditions such as Down syndrome and Dementia.
EACH – Extended Aged Care at Home Package, caninclude a range of care and support services for people
with dementia who want to remain living at home.
EPC – Enhanced Primary Care.
Evidence based – practices that are informed andsupported by reputable research and knowledge bases.
Geriatric medicine – refers to specialist medical services
that assess and treat illnesses in older people, usually
over the age of 65.
HACC – Home and Community Care services
Incidence of dementia – the number of new people
diagnosed with dementia each year.
Journey – refers to the journey people with dementia,
their carers and families may take as they and their loved
ones progress through the stages of dementia.
Multi-disciplinary team – teams that may containgeneral practitioners, nurses, assistants in nursing,geriatricians, psycho geriatricians, nurse practitioners,
occupational therapists, speech pathologists, social
workers, pharmacists, psychologists, mental healthworkers, and other practitioners working together todeliver assessment services and integrated health care.

Delirium – disturbances of consciousness and attention,
perception, thinking, memory, psychomotor behaviour,
emotion, and the sleep-wake cycle. It may occur at
any age but is most common after the age of 60 years.
The delirious state is transient and of fluctuating
intensity; most people recover within four weeks or less.

Person centred – planning or service provision
informed by the needs, wishes and preferencesof a person with dementia.

Dementia - a syndrome due to disease of the brain,
usually of a chronic or progressive nature, in which
there is disturbance of multiple higher cortical functions,
including memory, thinking, orientation, comprehension,
calculation, learning capacity, language, and judgement.
Consciousness is not clouded.

Primary care – services provided by GPs, nurses,
community nurses and aged care assessment teams.
Includes assessment, diagnosis and treatment services.

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010

Prevalence of dementia – the number of people
with dementia.

19

Quality of life – an individual’s perception of theirposition in life in the context of the culture and value
systems in which they live, and in relation to theirgoals, expectations, standards and concerns. It is abroad-ranging concept, incorporating the person’s
physical health and psychological state, level of
independence, social relationships, personal beliefs
and relationship to salient features in the environment.
Residential care – care provided in an aged care facility,
such as a nursing home or hostel.

20

Respite – temporary care arrangements provided
by someone other than the usual carer, also includes
short-term residential care.
Telehealth– medical services provided electronically, forexample via telephone or videoconferencing facilities.
Workforce – refers to all people employed who provide
assistance, care, information or support to people withdementia, their carers or families.

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010

Appendix

Australian Government, and State and Territory Plans supporting
people living with dementia, their carers and families
Australian Government

Northern Territory

The Northern Territory Department of Health,Ageing and Disability has undertaken a numberof initiatives which have relevance for people withdementia who live in the Northern Territory:$2.3 billion annually to support people withdementia and their carers and families.
This includes $268m to support people withdementia living in the community throughfunding Home and Community Care services,
Community Aged Care Packages (CACPs),dementia specific respite services under the
National Respite for Carers Program (NRCP) and
Extended Age Care at Home Packages (EACH).



Funding for the National Cross-Cultural Dementia
Network and for a dementia-training package
for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.



Developed a range of research and workforce
training initiatives such as the Building Ageing
Research Capacity (BARC) Project and the
National Aged Care Workforce Strategy.

Validation project for the Kimberley Indigenous
Cognitive Assessment tool (KICA).



Reviewing local policies for Age Care
Assessment Teams.

Development of strategies for recruitment andretention for the age care workforce.

Queensland
Dementia care is addressed specifically as oneof the seven priority areas of Queensland Health’s
Directions for Aged Care 2004–2011.
Dementia care has five focus areas:

Australian Capital Territory

Assessment



Access

Service delivery

CarersPartnerships.



The Health Action Plan 2002 promoting healthy
ageing, services for the frail aged and older
people with cognitive impairment and post acutecare as priorities for health services.
Clinical Services Plan promotes and outlines
rehabilitation services and psycho-geriatriccare programs.

New South Wales

Future Directions, the second NSW dementia
strategy, a collaborative plan between
NSW Health and the NSW Departmentof Ageing, Disability and Home Care includes:– Dementia Advisory Services across NSW– Mind Your Memory initiative– Dementia Care Clinical Nurse Consultants
in key areas.

Another key priority addresses the needs of older
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
www.health.qld.gov.au/accru/aged_care/PDFs/
287817_ACCRU_5.pdf
South Australia
South Australia’s Department of Families andCommunities is currently developing a State Dementia
Plan, which emphasises the need for coordinatedservices, prevention and primary care services,
and improving the quality and safety in dementia
services. This will link to the Strategy for an AgeingSouth Australia currently being developed.

www.health.nsw.gov.au/policy/hsp/publications/dementia/future_directions.pdf

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–201021

Tasmania

Western Australia

The Tasmanian Dementia Care Plan 2000 and Beyond
is currently being reviewed. Key elements of theplan included:

The Western Australian Dementia Action Plan
2003–2006 emphasises the following key
action areas:

Information, education and community awarenessPlanning for loss of competencyCommunity awareness of the needs of people
with dementia, their carers and familiesDiagnosis, ongoing assessment and coordinationCommunity support strategiesTraining

Early diagnosis and intervention

Access to services.



The importance of acute care and primary care

Education and training

Research and policy development.

www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/dementiacare/pdfs/dhhs_dementia
careplan.pdf
Victoria

www.health.wa.gov.au/publications/documents/
Dementia_web.pdf

Pathways to the Future, 2006 and Beyond –Dementia Framework for Victoria identifies priority
actions for the short to medium term including:Supporting older people to live active andindependent lives in their communities.



Facilitating high quality health and aged care services
to support people with dementia, and their families
and carers.



Encouraging creativity and innovation in flexible
service delivery.

Focusing on social connectedness, diversity andequity in meeting needs of people with dementia
and their families and carers.

Throughout the State, Cognitive Dementia and Memory
Services (CDAMS) provide specialist early diagnosis
and assessment for people with dementia.
www.health.vic.gov.au/agedcare/

22

National Framework for Action on Dementia 2006–2010