Southern Cross Care (Vic) Responds to Dementia Epidemic with Three-Year Strategic Plan

Leading aged care provider, Southern Cross Care (Vic), is launching a three-year dementia strategic plan to respond to the challenges of dementia which is today, the single biggest health issue facing older people in Australia. 

Southern Cross Care (Vic) CEO, Andrew Newton, said that this strategic plan is built upon the organisation’s strong reputation and commitment to delivering high quality dementia care services to thousands of residents and clients across Victoria.

“As a not-for-profit aged care provider, we have been supporting older Victorians to live the best life possible since 1969. This strategic plan ensures that we continue to innovate how we provide services and care, and to achieve the best outcomes for people who are living with dementia and their carers,” said Mr Newton.

To achieve its vision and goals, Southern Cross Care has established ten key priorities of action over the next three years aligned with the principles of its award-winning ‘Valuing Every Person’ philosophy which advocates a person-centred approach.

“People living with dementia can still live an active, meaningful life with a purpose. That’s what our ‘Valuing Every Person’ philosophy is all about. Everyone deserves to live with dignity and respect, regardless of their health or socio-economic status,” said Mr Newton.

“One of our key priorities is to remove any stigma often associated with dementia. To do that, we are ensuring that our workforce and our organisational culture, as well as our services and the environments in which our residents or clients are being supported in, are dementia friendly,” he continued.

According to Alzheimer’s Australia, there are currently 353,800 people living with dementia in Australia. By 2050, the figure is estimated to rise to 900,000 people – three times the population of Canberra. In Victoria alone, an estimated 98,099 people are currently living with dementia. By 2050, the number will increase threefold to 386,397 people.

“The country is facing a dementia epidemic with more than 1800 new cases reported each week. Southern Cross Care is determined to continuously respond to the needs of clients and residents living with dementia and inspire them to live active, healthy and valued lives,” said Mr Newton. “This three-year plan is the result of a consultative process incorporating what our residents, clients and the wider dementia community have identified as key areas for better dementia care.”

Mr Newton added that in addition to changing people’s mindset about dementia, Southern Cross Care is committed to providing older people with improved choice and ease of access to dementia care, ensuring better integration and continuum of services, and developing a highly skilled workforce who understand the needs and expectations of people living with dementia.

Click here to find out more about Southern Cross Care (Vic)'s aged care & home care services.