LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation 1
2.42 The
committee recommends that the Commonwealth create a new Medicare item number
that encourages General Practitioners, registered psychologists or other
relevant accredited professionals, to undertake longer consultations with a
patient and at least one family member or carer where the patient has presented
with indications of dementia.
Recommendation 2
3.39 The
committee recommends that the Commonwealth consider increasing funding for the
Younger Onset Dementia Key Worker Program in order to provide support to all
people living with dementia. The increased funding should also ensure
that accurate data is collected for evaluation purposes.
Recommendation 3
3.40 The
committee recommends that each State and Territory develop dementia training
facilities similar to the Perc Walkley Dementia Learning Centre in Victoria.
Recommendation 4
3.53 The
committee recommends that the Commonwealth encourage relevant professional
organisations, such as the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners,
to ensure that patients diagnosed with dementia and their carers are informed
by health professionals of the dementia supports available and how to access
them.
Recommendation 5
3.95 The
committee recommends that the Commonwealth facilitate and potentially fund the
establishment of dementia-specific respite facilities, including in regional
and remote areas.
Recommendation 6
3.96 The
committee recommends that the Commonwealth, in consultation with industry,
develop guidelines regarding dementia-specific respite facilities that can
effectively manage BPSD.
Recommendation 7
3.97 The
committee recommends that the Commonwealth explore options for improving the
provision of respite in rural and remote areas.
Recommendation 8
4.79 The
committee recommends that the accreditation standards for Residential Aged Care
Facilities include requirements for dementia-friendly design principles.
Recommendation 9
4.80 The
committee recommends that the accreditation standards for Residential Aged Care
Facilities reflect a better balance between clinical and quality-of-life
outcomes.
Recommendation 10
5.44 The
committee recommends that a phased program of accredited training in dementia
and the management of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD)
be required for all employees of Residential Aged Care Facilities.
Recommendation 11
5.45 The
committee recommends that the Commonwealth take a proactive stance in
highlighting the importance of staff training in dementia care, and develop
linkages between care and education providers.
Recommendation 12
6.19 The
committee recommends that the use of antipsychotic medication should be
reviewed by the prescribing doctor after the first three months to assess the
ongoing need.
Recommendation 13
6.20 The
committee recommends that residential aged care facilities, as part of their
existing Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency annual audit process,
report:
- circumstances
where an individual has been prescribed antipsychotic medication for more than
six months, together with the reasons for and any steps taken to minimise that
use; and
- general
usage patterns of antipsychotic medications in each facility.
Recommendation 14
6.31 The
committee recommends that the Commonwealth develop, in consultation with
dementia advocates and service providers, guidelines for the recording and
reporting on the use of all forms of restraints in residential facilities.
Recommendation 15
6.32 The
committee recommends that the Commonwealth collect and report:
- the number of residents
in aged care and acute care facilities with a diagnosis of dementia;
- the number of these
residents who are taking, or have taken, antipsychotic medication;
- the number of instances
where a patient has been prescribed multiple anti-psychotic medications;
- the reason the
medication was prescribed; and
- the average duration of
a course of prescribed antipsychotics.
Recommendation 16
6.48 The
committee recommends that the Commonwealth undertake an information program for
doctors and residential aged care facilities regarding the guidelines Responding
to Issues of Restraint in Aged Care in Residential Care.
Recommendation 17
7.29 The
committee recommends that a review of the adequacy of respite facilities for
Younger Onset Dementia patients be carried out urgently.
Recommendation 18
7.30 The
committee recommends that the Commonwealth fund the development of a pilot
Younger Onset Dementia specific respite facility at either the Barwon or Hunter
area National Disability Insurance Scheme trial sites.
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