Access to rehabilitation services: a 'fair go' for individuals living with a dementia

Similar to other Western countries, approximately nine per cent

of Australians aged over 65 are living with a dementia and

for those aged over 85 the prevalence rate rises to up to 30

per cent. As the ageing population increases, the prevalence

of dementia will increase (Guideline Adaptation Committee,

2016). It is doubtless an important healthcare issue. In the

past 10 years, since the Australian Government published

its first National Framework for Action on Dementia and the

nomination of dementia as a National Health Priority, dementia

care has achieved never imagined improvements. Dementiaspecific

research and educational initiatives by the Dementia

Collaborative Research Centres and Dementia Training Study

Centres achieved unprecedented hope for consumers, family

carers and clinicians about the new opportunities to improve the

wellbeing and quality of life of individuals living with a dementia,

and their family carers.