New joint position statement between ACPA and Dementia Australia

[From ACPA]

Advance Care Planning Australia has collaborated with Dementia Australia to release an updated joint position statement, calling for a stronger, more consistent approach to advance care planning (ACP) for people living with dementia. With an estimated 446,500 Australians living with dementia in 2026, projected to exceed one million by 2065, the statement highlights the urgency of embedding ACP across health, aged care and disability systems.

The statement emphasises the importance of starting ACP early, while people can still express their values and preferences. It promotes a rights-based, supported decision-making approach to help people retain agency, dignity and control over their future care. It also identifies key gaps, including inconsistent uptake, workforce capability challenges and limited national data.

Reflecting the lived experience of people with dementia, their families and carers, the statement reinforces that early and ongoing conversations reduce uncertainty and help ensure care aligns with what matters most.

Read the statement: https://www.advancecareplanning.org.au/news-and-events/latest-news/new-joint-position-statement-calls-for-improved-advance-care-planning-for-people-living-with-dementia