The Joint Solutions Project: Paving the Way for Better Support in Young Onset Dementia

At The Care Connect Co, we’re passionate about supporting positive change in the way care and services are delivered for people living with Younger Onset Dementia. That’s why we’re shining a light on the Joint Solutions Young Onset Dementia Project, a national initiative working to improve awareness, advocacy, and support systems for people living with this complex condition.

A Collaborative Effort for Change

The project began as a response to growing calls from individuals and families seeking more tailored and effective support. Led by the YPINH Alliance, the initiative brought together people with lived experience, government agencies, clinicians, service providers, and advocacy groups, all with one shared goal: to create a better, more coordinated system of care for young onset dementia across Australia.

What the Project Found

Over 18 months, the Joint Solutions Project undertook extensive research, consultation, and analysis to understand the real life experiences of those living with young onset dementia.

The findings revealed:

• A lack of age appropriate and accessible services

• Limited awareness of the condition across healthcare and government sectors

• Fragmented diagnostic and support pathways

• A strong need for system navigation and advocacy to help families access the right support

  
  

These findings led to the development of a detailed system of care, a framework that identifies what’s needed to ensure people receive the right help, at the right time, from the right services.

Time Won’t Wait: The Final Report

The final report, Time Won’t Wait, outlines 90 key recommendations to improve outcomes for people with young onset dementia and their families.

These include:

• Establishing clearer pathways within the NDIS and healthcare systems

• Developing a national representative body for young onset dementia

• Investing in workforce training and diagnostic improvements

• Strengthening advocacy and awareness across communities and industries

Looking Ahead

The Joint Solutions Project marks an important milestone in shaping the future of dementia care in Australia. There’s still much to be done, but the work provides a strong foundation for progress, and hope, for those affected.

At The Care Connect Co, we’re committed to supporting these efforts and continuing to advocate for meaningful reform and compassionate, holistic care for NDIS participants living with Younger Onset Dementia.

Click here to read the Joint Solutions Project PDF Report

Click here to learn more about this current YPINH Alliance project!