COTA NT Calls for Secure Facilities for Territorians with Dementia

23 Jun 2020

“Future governments [must] plan for seniors to ensure that they can age safely in their communities.”

Recently released figures advised that dementia is the fastest growing disease in Australia. The Northern Territory too has experienced an increase in the number of people living with dementia and urgently needs safe, secure and affordable accommodation for dementia patients.

In its election bid, COTA NT called for investment in six key areas, liveable communities, appropriate housing, skills and jobs, accessible information services, planning for change, cost of living and a safe territory. This bid was sent to the current NT Government, the CLP and Territory Alliance, and included an appeal to invest in specialised dementia village and accommodation. To date, COTA NT has not received advice or a reply on this very important issue.

“While the current Territory government is investigating options for retirement villages, we would urge that these facilities also incorporate aged care and specialised dementia facilities,” said Sue Shearer, CEO of COTA NT. “The Territory has the fastest growing over 65s population of any state or territory in Australia, so it is imperative that current, and future governments plan for seniors to ensure that they can age safely in their communities.”

“COTA NT members in Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek, Alice Springs and Batchelor are all in need of facilities that not only cater to older seniors in retirement, but which can also be transformed into safe accommodations for aged care and for those living with dementia.”

“We all want our seniors to stay in the Territory, but without planning for this growth, families will be forced to take their loved one’s interstate. Then we lose whole families which, both socially and economically the Territory can’t afford to happen.”

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 Media contact:
Sue Shearer, CEO, COTA NT

08 8941 1004

 Further Information:

• A copy of this media release can be found on our Media Releases page.
• Our Submissions
• COTA NT – Election Submission, released February 2020
• dementia.org.au/statistics
• Dementia is the second leading cause of death of Australians.
  • In 2016 dementia became the leading cause of death of Australian women, surpassing heart disease which has been the leading cause of death for both men and women since the early 20th century. In 2017, dementia remained the first leading cause of death of women, and the third leading cause of death of men. Overall, accounting for 13,729 deaths
  • Females account for 64.5% of all dementia related deaths
  • In 2020, there is an estimated 459,000 Australians living with dementia^,Without a medical breakthrough, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase to 590,000 by 2028 and 1,076,000 by 2058.
• Hogeweyk – One of a kind dementia village.