Dementia Awareness Week

Thursday, 19 September 2012

Federal Member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke recognises the significance of Dementia Awareness Week and the ongoing contribution of Alzheimer’s Australia in supporting and advocating for those living with dementia, their carers, family and friends.

Alex Hawke said almost 280,000 people live with dementia with approximately 1,600 new cases diagnosed each week.

 “Dementia has been singled out as the biggest cause of disability amongst older Australians and the third leading cause of death.

“When last in Government, the Coalition committed $320 million in the 2005 budget to help fund the Dementia Initiative – Making Dementia a National Health Priority, said Alex Hawke.

“Despite this initiative proving invaluable help to dementia sufferers, and a Government evaluation in October 2009 finding the initiative successful, Labor deliberately dropped the funding for this program.

 “I am, however pleased to see that at a recent meeting of health ministers, dementia has now been made a National Health Priority,” Alex Hawke concluded.

The Coalition remains committed to addressing the growing numbers of dementia in Australia.