Up to 150,000 people with dementia live in Austria. This number is likely to double by 2050, health insurer ÖGK declared on World Alzheimer’s Day. Minister of Health Johannes Rauch (Greens) also pointed to this trend because of the increasing life expectancy and demographic developments. The aim is to improve care for people with dementia and their caring relatives, Rauch emphasized on Wednesday.
The ÖGK reported that there are currently 147,000 people with dementia in Austria. Now, for the first time, there is a uniform national procedure for the reimbursement of anti-dementia medicines from the so-called green zone, ie for prescription-free medicines.
“New regulations are a relief”
The new arrangement is a relief for patients and their loved ones because they no longer have to consult a specialist every six months as they used to do. The second essential pillar for a good life with dementia is advice and support. The ÖGK offers networking in the regions – usually in cooperation with the countries or associations.
“Living well with dementia”
The motto of World Alzheimer’s Day this year is “Dementia – stay connected” and underlines the need for people with dementia and their families to participate in social life, the ministry said. In 2015, the dementia strategy ‘Living well with dementia’ was developed. It forms a framework for measures to improve the living situation of people with dementia and their loved ones.
“I am very concerned about the implementation of measures and the further development of the dementia strategy, which is why my department is currently working on the establishment of an Austrian quality register for dementia,” explains Rauch.
The objectives include to map the diagnostics, therapy and care for people with dementia in Austria, whereby the documented data should make it possible to monitor the quality of care for people with dementia and on the basis of this an improvement can be initiated. into the healthcare landscape.
health care reform
The health care reform recently proposed by the federal government should also provide improvements for those in need of care and their loved ones. For people with a severe mental disability or dementia, the hardship benefit will be increased from 25 to 45 hours per month. In the future, there will be a statutory entitlement to care leave of three months. In addition, caregivers are entitled to financial support for alternative care after just three days, the health department recalled.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
