Submission to the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.

Dietitians Australia welcomes the National Dementia Action Plan and commends the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care for including 7 objectives in support of the vision described. Our submission gives our specific feedback and recommendations in response to the Action Plan.

Dietitians have an important role to play in caring for people living with dementia, such as in the assessment and dietary management of clients with dementia and malnutrition, in the planning and coordination of food service within aged care homes and home delivered meal programs, and in the training of aged care sector staff.

Our recommendations:

• Dietitians Australia recommends expanding on the evidence in the National Dementia Action Plan to highlight evidence for dietary factors associated with a decreased risk of dementia.
• Dietitians Australia considers it vital for nutrition screening and dietary support from Accredited Practising Dietitians to be an integral part of dementia management. In the proposed ‘Brain Hubs’ with multidisciplinary teams established across the country, it is essential to include a range of allied health professionals, including Accredited Practising Dietitians to assist with nutrition screening and provide dietary support to people living with dementia.

To read more, download our submission.