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Financial services professionals have been urged to participate in a new program designed to improve awareness of the challenges facing dementia sufferers.
Dementia Australia’s Centre for Dementia Learning has launched “Better Banking for people with dementia” – an online education program aimed at improving dementia awareness in the financial sector and teaching professionals how to provide services for those living with the condition and their families.
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Dementia Australia chair and former chair of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Professor Graeme Samuel AC encouraged all financial services professionals to participate.
“Better Banking for people living with dementia requires only one hour to complete yet provides a comprehensive overview of dementia and advice on how to better meet the financial needs of people living with dementia,” Professor Samuel said.
“With an estimated 459,000 Australians living with dementia in 2020 and numbers on the rise, now is the time for banks and the financial sector to learn about dementia and how to best serve customers impacted by the disease.”
The program was developed following extensive consultation with stakeholders, which included Australians living with dementia and their carers, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, Victoria Police and Age Discrimination Commissioner Dr Kay Patterson AO.
Marnie Baker, managing director of Bendigo and Adelaide Bank, said the program was tested by the bank’s staff with “overwhelmingly positive” feedback.
“The increasing number of Australians living with dementia deserve financial services provided by staff that are knowledgeable, understanding and compassionate towards their needs,” Ms Baker said.
“Better Banking for people with dementia enhances the education and support Bendigo Bank staff have and creates the dementia-friendly experience our customers should expect.”
Dementia Australia provides advocacy, support services, education and information on behalf of dementia sufferers and their families.
According to Dementia Australia, approximately 459,000 people have dementia in Australia, with the number projected to reach almost 1.1 million by 2058.
The National Dementia Helpline is 1800 100 500
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