Opposition Leader and Member for Maribyrnong Bill Shorten today visited Doutta Galla Aged Services in Avondale Heights to speak with staff and patients about the Abbott Government’s cut to the Dementia and Severe Behaviours Supplement.

 

Mr Shorten said that following the sudden axing of the funding, local aged care providers would struggle to maintain the same level of care for dementia patients.

 

“The Avondale Heights facility receives the $16 a day supplement for 35 residents,” Mr Shorten said.

 

“It’s not a king’s ransom, but for these providers, it’s a cut that will mean less for services, less for infrastructure and less for ensuring dementia patients get the quality of care they deserve.”

 

“It’s a cut that will just make life harder for local people living with the dementia, their families and staff.”

 

Mr Shorten said the sudden end to the Dementia Supplement came on top of cuts to the indexation of pensions and the removal of the Aged Care Payroll Tax Supplement.

 

“Yet again, the Abbott Government is attacking the most vulnerable in our community,” he said.

 

“Just when you thought Tony Abbott’s unfair budget couldn’t get any worse, dementia patients and their families are now being hit.”

 

ENDS