Albo praises dementia village model

ANTHONY Albanese has highlighted a dementia village being built in Tasmania as the kind of innovative idea Australia needed to support its ageing population.

The Labor leader praised the Korongee Dementia Village being built in Glenorchy as he outlined his “positive ageing strategy” yesterday.

He said Australia needed more spaces like the European-inspired dementia village, which is the first of its kind in the country.

“It allows those living with dementia to remain connected to family and friends,” Mr Albanese said.

“It gives residents a sense of normality while keeping them safe. They can go shopping, dine at the restaurant, or cook their own dinner.

“It’s about humanity and dignity. Ideas like this are what we need to look at if our health care system is to keep pace with demographic change.”

The village is expected to open in mid-2020, and will contain 12 houses with eight bedrooms.

Mr Albanese’s positive ageing strategy also called for a “cultural shift” to boost respect for older Australians in the wake of the disturbing revelations from the aged care royal commission. He also backed a legislated increase for superannuation to 12 per cent by 2025, amid calls from some Liberal MPs to change it.

“With economic growth and productivity you can have both higher super and higher wages,” Mr Albanese said.

He also called for changes to city planning and housing to help older Australians remain in their homes if they chose.