Calls for better care for dementia sufferers in aged care facilities
5 Mar 2019
The Territory really needs to start looking at appropriate facilities to permanently house its dementia patients
COTA NT visited seniors in Katherine last week as part of our ‘COTA Across the NT’ program. Topics discussed included the role of our new Aged Care Navigators in helping people gain access to government provided aged care support, the seniors’ card program and concessions. We visited businesses to tell them about the 2019 NT Seniors Card Business Directory, which will be going to print soon, and several Katherine businesses signed up for the first time as a result. This is the 20th year of the Seniors Card program in the Territory and this special anniversary will be marked by a formal launch and celebration in April. Since last year’s directory was printed, over 100 new businesses have listed in the directory – good news for seniors as these businesses offer up to 10% discount on their services or products.
On a sadder note, Katherine appears to have the same problem with its aged care facilities as Darwin and other regional areas. High-care dementia patients are housed in an aged care facility, but need much higher care than what they are receiving and are a danger to others. The Royal Commission has just finished their first hearings in Adelaide and the care of dementia patients or the lack of it was highlighted. The Territory really needs to start looking at appropriate facilities to permanently house its dementia patients.
Interestingly COTA NT was contacted by The Australian regarding the number of retirees re-locating to Asia, especially Thailand and Indonesia. For retirees on a set income including pensioners, it can be an attractive option. We heard some resorts like Eat, Pray and Live in Ubud have a few Australians living there enjoying a monthly rent of $600. With Territory Housing increasing their rents for tired old housing stock, it’s no wonder seniors look at re-locating.
~ Sue Shearer, CEO COTA NT
Tags: Seniors Voice
