To coincide with Dementia Action Week (20 – 26 September), a new report into dementia is now available.
The Dementia in Australia 2021 report provides a comprehensive picture of dementia and its impacts on Australia’s health and aged care systems, as well as recent developments in dementia research and policy.
The report also includes personal insights from people living with dementia and those who support them in their daily lives.
Up to 472,000 Australians are living with dementia. Australia’s ageing population means this number is projected to more than double by 2058.
Dementia is now the 3rd leading cause of disease burden in Australia.
The Australian Government is investing $229.4 million to improve care and services for people living with dementia.
Key measures include:
- training for more than 3,000 personal care workers to become dementia leaders within their organisations and additional training places for 1,000 GPs and GP registrars each year
- an increase in early support services such as counselling and education to around 30,000 people living with dementia at home so they can remain independent
- increased availability of respite places.
The Dementia in Australia 2021 report was prepared by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.