Government axes dementia and severe behaviours payment

Yesterday afternoon the Federal Government announced the termination of the Dementia and Severe Behaviours Supplement, a scheme introduced by the Labor Government to provide additional support to those suffering the most severe and debilitating symptoms of dementia.

The Assistant Minister for Social Services Mitch Fifield declared the Supplement had gone well beyond the budget allocated to it by the previous government.

He said the Supplement was budgeted at $11.7 million for this financial year but had reached an anticipated cost of around $110 million.

“It has become clear to this Government that the legacy of our predecessors is one of poor policy execution leading to unintended consequences,” Senator Fifield said.

Alzheimer’s Australia CEO Glenn Rees agreed that the Supplement was poorly designed, but said the cost explosion that we now know about should have been reviewed much earlier.

“I don’t accept that we’ve gotten rid of the Supplement, I think we’ve terminated a scheme that wasn’t working the way it was intended,” Mr Rees said.

“I hope the Government will implement a new scheme that addresses the original objective, with the help of consumers and service providers.

“Alzheimer’s Australia has been advocating for well over ten years for the additional costs of caring for those with the most difficult issues in dementia, so we would like a scheme implemented sooner rather than later,” Mr Rees said.

“But we also want to get it right this time.”

The announcement has infuriated aged care providers, many of whom remain in receipt of the funding.

Amana Living CEO Ray Glickman said the unexpectedly large number of people receiving the Supplement is in itself a testament to the growing need of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) services.

“Cutting this funding displays a serious disregard for the wellbeing of people living with dementia, curtailing the capacity of aged care providers to deliver the complex care required,” Mr Glickman said.

While the Minister said the decision had been made after consultation with the Aged Care Sector Committee and other experts, aged care peak bodies Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) and Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) both denied that appropriate consultation had taken place.

ACSA CEO John Kelly said there has been no real attempt to forge a clear path where people will be supported properly, despite the blow-out being apparent for some time.

"The withdrawal of funding ignores the problems faced by providers and their staff. Services that were funded to help these residents are now in jeopardy, much to the despair of staff and families,” Mr Kelly said.

LASA CEO Patrick Reid said the action represents the Government turning its back on some of Australia’s most vulnerable people.

“Does the Minister and Department believe that the severe symptoms of residents with dementia will stop with the cessation of the Supplement?

“The removal of this funding will cause clients, families and staff dealing with severe dementia unnecessary angst and distress,” Mr Reid said.