Federal Government cuts dementia and severe behaviours payment

[azureline**]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-26/dementia-supplement-payment-cut-after-budget-blow-out/5553394

I didn't believe this when I saw it and had to go find out for certain as I thought it was just another beat up. It is real and it is very concerning.

The dementia and severe behaviours supplement is only a year old. It provides a payment of $16 a day for each eligible dementia patient in residential care homes.

Figures released by the Department of Social Services show demand for the payment has dramatically outstripped initial projections.

Original estimates indicated 2,000 people in residential care would be eligible. Instead, as of March, more than 25,000 people were receiving the supplement

 there are 320,000 Australians with dementia now, and that number is expected to rise to 400,000 by 2021.

[bella_again]

Yep sadly its true and there are also cuts for home care users and respite services.  Crazy government.

[azureline**]

I can see us returning to the days of unsatisfactory care for those in need. 😞

[bella_again]

Yeah have to agree with you there and its scary our most vulnerable deserve to be treated with dignity and respect yet this governments policies are doing just the opposite 😞

[fiestas*girl]

lets hope theres no lnp voters out there with dementia (tho that might explain alot)...or have friends or family with dementia

if so,  I woyld ask this

ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?????

[nevynreally]

.

[boris1gary]

NSW fiberals are privatising home care services, a lot of older people use these services to stay independent and out of aged care for as long as they can - if this goes ahead it will be a disaster, it's not free now but prices will soar if it's privatised. 

• No state run residences for people with disability

• No support services provided by the NSW Government for people who live in their own home

• No respite services provided by the NSW Government for carers for people with disability.

• It won’t just be an ill equipped non-government sector that will take over these vital services.

VirginCare, Moran and SERCO are just a few of the for profit corporations that could enter this service field.

[azureline**]

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@fiestas*girl wrote:

lets hope theres no lnp voters out there with dementia (tho that might explain alot)...or have friends or family with dementia

if so,  I woyld ask this

ARE YOU HAPPY NOW?????

---

I have enquired as to the effect this will have on my FIL's care. It means some services will need cut backs unless more money can be raised via the organisation itself, or fees increased. We are fortunate that there is money there to take care of Dad but many families aren't.

Until this last 2 years, I probably would have not given it more than a passing thought, not knowing anything about the difficulties faced by families who have a member with dementia etc. so I get that it means little to some people.