$2.3 million grant provided towards dementia research

The funding will allow the organisation to create a state-of-the-art purpose-built research and care facility in partnership with Curtin University at its Bentley campus.

Alzheimer's Australia WA Chairman Craig Masarei said the new Centre of Excellence in Dementia Care would be able to provide better training opportunities for people involved in dementia-specialists services such as nurses, occupational and speech therapists and social workers.

"This world-class centre for dementia research, education and training will improve the standards of care we provide to people with dementia living in our State," Masarei said.

"There are currently about 19,000 people diagnosed with dementia in WA and this figure is expected to rise to more than 79,000 by the year 2050."

Masarei said the grant would allow the organisation to purchase an 8,000 square metre block of State land worth $2.2 million, adjacent to the organisation's current headquarters in Shenton Park.

"The organisation will then be able to fund the new Centre of Excellence in Bentley through the sales of both Shenton Park properties, which has a combined land area of 11,679 square metres," he said.

"We will be refocussing our strategic direction, which will include expanding our research and education activities in partnership with Curtin University's Centre for Research in Ageing."

"Details of the organisation's new strategic plan will be announced later this year but all of our current services will still be maintained as they are vital in supporting our future research, education and training programmes."