It’s predicted the number of Australians living with dementia will more than double to over one million people in 40 years.
A new report from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) estimates 662,000 women and 390,000 men will have dementia in 2065, noting it has been the leading cause of death for Australians since 2023.
Last year, the AIHW estimated there were 425,000 people living with dementia. This equates to 16 people with dementia per 1,000 Australians.
Nearly two-thirds (63 per cent) of Australians with dementia are women.
“Dementia was the leading cause of death for women and the second leading cause for men, after coronary heart disease,” the report states.
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said the report shows how widespread the impact of dementia is across Australian families.
“These figures highlight just how many families are impacted by dementia across Australia. Most of us know someone who is or has been impacted by dementia,” Professor Buchanan said.
“People affected by dementia often tell us that friends and family drift away after a diagnosis, because they are unsure of how to interact. “That’s why the theme for this year’s Dementia Action Week – which starts on Monday 15 September – is ‘Nobody can do it alone’. We are challenging Australians to reconnect with someone impacted by dementia to help combat the high levels of social isolation many experience.”
Risk factors
There are a range of known risk factors for developing dementia. Some, like age, genetics and family history can’t be changed but there are a range of behaviours that can increase or decrease someone’s risk of dementia.
Research shows at least 45 per cent of your risk of developing dementia is potentially modifiable.
Some risk factors include obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, air pollution, head injury, high blood pressure, untreated hearing loss, untreated vision loss, depression and diabetes. Greater physical activity, social engagement and cognitive activity can help reduce your risk.
Dementia comes in many forms – the most common being Alzheimer’s disease. Having multiple forms of dementia is also common.
“With dementia now the leading cause of death for Australians it is more pressing than ever that the federal government commit to funding a national conversation on dementia to raise awareness and promote brain health at all ages,” Professor Buchanan said.
“By taking a comprehensive approach to addressing dementia, we can reduce the impact of dementia into the future. With aged care across the country already under pressure, and the number of people living with dementia expected to exceed 1 million by 2065, we simply cannot afford to wait.
“We call on the government to take decisive action. People living with dementia, their families and carers are depending on us to do this right, and to do it now.”
National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500.