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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 03 Hansard (Thursday, 11 March 2004) . . Page.. 1174 ..

interview went swimmingly: quite nicely, thank you. But, at the end, there was the old sting in the tail and Louise decided to try to trap me and to misrepresent a position because it was sensationalist to do so. My concern is that we want the media to present both sides of the argument seriously, regardless of what our position might be. But we suddenly find ourselves being let down because somebody feels like being sensationalist or scoring a political point. I am going to talk to Radio 2CN and I am going to tell them that they have deeply disappointed me and a lot of other people who wanted to see that story get out there but who, in fact, saw the story hijacked and then later misrepresented on the news. I would like to see 2CN lift its game to ensure that they get that service back to the community.

Dementia sufferers

MRS BURKE: (10.53) This week, and over the past few weeks and months, we have heard about the issue of aged care. It has certainly been in the spotlight, so I think that it is really good tonight that we can talk about some good positive news with regard to facilities in the ACT for people with dementia and their carers. It is also really good to highlight a clear commitment by the Australian federal government to supporting older ACT residents and their families. I read from a media release put out by Ms Julie Bishop MP, Minister for Ageing. She says:

ACT residents with dementia and their carers will benefit from the launch of two new facilities...The Australian Government provided more than $1.1 million in capital and recurrent funding for the two initiatives.

The first project provides an innovative model for dementia residents at the Upper Jindalee Nursing Home, and an associated outreach program. A new 12-bed residential unit will cater for clients with dementia and challenging behaviour, using a new structured program of staff supervision and support to provide sustained and effective care. The outreach program will be delivered to eight clients in each of two other ACT nursing homes, Amity at Aranda and Morling Lodge in Red Hill.

It is interesting to note that these programs have been modelled on a Swedish model, which talks about a better approach to caring for people with dementia in our community. I think grateful thanks should be given publicly tonight for Jindalee Nursing Home because they have been really helpful in being able to establish the program out there. An eminent person in the area of dementia, Dr Mike Bird, will be doing the assessment. It is all about staff attitude to approaching people with dementia, communication strategies and really trying to understand the how, why, what and where of people with dementia. The press release goes on:

At the same time, people with dementia who remain in the community, and those who care for them, will benefit from a new cottage-style respite centre at Gloria McKerrow House in Deakin. The Australian Government provided more than $360,000 for The Cottage, run by Carers ACT.

Who do a marvellous job, I might say.

It will offer respite services 4 days a week until 8 pm, including over the weekend and outside the operating hours of most community-based respite services.

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