The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has released the Dementia in Australia 2021 Summary Report — the first of its kind in almost 10 years.
Prepared to coincide with Dementia Action Week which ends on Sunday (26 September), the Report shows how the impact of dementia is growing in Australia.
The Institute said the Report found that up to 472,000 Australians are living with dementia and that the nation’s ageing population means this number is projected to more than double by 2058.
It said that, already, dementia was the third leading cause of disease burden in Australia.
Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians, Senator Richard Colbeck, said Dementia Action Week provided an opportunity to help those grappling with this difficult health diagnosis.
“It is very confronting, not just for the individual, but for their family and friends,” Senator Colbeck said.
He said the correct support could make all the difference, particularly as COVID-19 continued to present challenges for aged care facilities across Australia.
“While dementia is a progressive condition, people can continue to live active and happy lives for many years after diagnosis,” Senator Colbeck said.
“They deserve support, not just from their families, but from the community as a whole, to allow them to live their best lives as long as possible.”
Dementia Action Week is organised by Dementia Australia, which has received Government funding of $38 million over three years from 2019 to 2022 to deliver the National Dementia Support Program.
Dementia Australia said that, as well as improving awareness and understanding, the Program connected people living with dementia with services that supported them to self-manage and live well for as long as possible.
The 24-page Summary Report can be viewed at this PS News link.
