Dementia has overtaken all other illnesses to become the leading killer of Australians, with experts warning more than one million people could be living with the condition within 40 years.
A new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reveals dementia was the nation’s leading cause of death in 2023, responsible for almost 17,400 deaths – about 9.5 per cent of all recorded fatalities.
“Dementia was the leading cause of death for women and the second leading cause for men after coronary heart disease,” the report stated.
Last year, an estimated 425,000 Australians were living with dementia – the equivalent of 16 people for every 1000. The rate climbs steeply with age, from fewer than one person per 1000 among those aged 30 to 59, to 210 people per 1000 among people aged 85 to 89. Almost two-thirds of those affected are women.
With the country’s ageing population, the number of Australians with dementia is projected to surpass one million by 2065.
Dementia Australia chief executive Tanya Buchanan said the findings highlight the urgent need for action.
“With dementia expected to exceed one million by 2065, we simply cannot afford to wait for decisive action,” Ms Buchanan said.
“We are calling on governments at all levels to take a comprehensive approach to reduce the impact of dementia into the future. This means funding a national discussion on dementia to raise awareness and promote brain health at all ages, funding dementia navigators and upskilling the dementia care workforce.”
She added that many people living with dementia experience isolation as family and friends drift away after diagnosis – an issue being addressed in this year’s Dementia Action Week, beginning Monday, under the theme ‘Nobody can do it alone’.
“We’re challenging Australians to reach out and connect with someone impacted by dementia,” Ms Buchanan said.
While Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, dementia can involve a range of conditions that affect memory, speech, behaviour, mobility and cognition. It can occur in younger people, including those under 65 and, in rare cases, even children.
Diagnosis usually requires extensive medical and cognitive assessments. There is no cure, though lifestyle factors such as healthy weight, good sleep and avoiding smoking or excessive drinking can reduce risk.
The impact of dementia is felt not only by patients but also by the estimated 102,000 informal carers who provided primary support in 2023.
The cost to the health and aged care system is immense. In 2020-21, dementia accounted for $3.7 billion in expenditure, with almost half spent on residential aged care services, followed by community-based services and hospital treatment.
As the AIHW notes, dementia is not only a medical crisis but also a major social challenge – one expected to grow dramatically in coming decades.
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