Alzheimer's and Dementia
 

 
 

Is Australia heading for a
Dementia epidemic?
What is dementia?  

27 May 2003

In a new report released today Australian researchers have warned that dementia is set to become the next big health concern for ageing baby boomers, predicting that the number of Australians with dementia will triple in the next 4 decades.

According to Mr Glenn Rees, National Executive Director, Alzheimer's Australia: 'With the first wave of baby boomers commencing retirement in 2005, the number of Australians affected by dementia is expected to reach the half million mark in the next 40 years.

'[Dementia] will be the number one cause of disability for our ageing baby boomer population ahead of cardiovascular disease, cancer and depression,' said Mr Rees.

The report, commissioned by Alzheimer's Australia, entitled The Dementia Epidemic: Economic Impact and Positive Solutions for Australia highlights the spiralling social and economic burden of dementia on an already under-resourced aged-care system and the growing number of elderly Australians with dementia living without effective treatment and care.

Mr Rees added: 'Currently in Australia, more than 60 per cent of patients in nursing homes and aged-care facilities have dementia or cognitive impairment, yet only 6 per cent of residential care beds are dementia-specific.'

At the launch of the report today, Mr Rees emphasised as essential needs:

  • a greater investment in dementia research;
  • more dementia-specific and well-resourced community and support programmes; and
  • early diagnosis and treatment of people with dementia.

Professor Henry Brodaty of the Academic Department for Old Age Psychiatry, University of New South Wales and Chairman of Alzheimer's Disease International noted that: 'If dementia is detected early, people living with dementia and their families can benefit from early intervention programmes, effective drug treatments, community support, long-term care planning, and ultimately, delayed institutionalisation, and enhanced quality of life.'

Key findings and recommendations of the report

  • The dementia epidemic has arrived with over 162,000 people with dementia in 2002, and more than 6,600 Australians aged less than 65 experiencing 'young onset' dementia.
  • Dementia is the 2nd largest cause of disability burden in Australia after depression. It will become the largest by 2016, continuing to outpace other chronic illnesses.
  • Dementia is the 4th biggest killer of adults after heart disease, cancer and diseases of the respiratory system.
  • Approximately 50 per cent of people in their 90s suffer dementia.
  • Dementia is more common than skin cancer, yet with significantly less investment in public health initiatives.
  • Research into dementia is currently severely underfunded.
  • Australia needs a national strategy to address the dementia epidemic.
  • A future national strategy for dementia should centre on a significant investment in research for cause, prevention and care; early intervention strategies; comprehensive provision of support, education and respite services; quality residential care; and provision for special needs groups including people with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, indigenous Australians, those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, and those living in rural and remote areas.

 

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