About Dementia
Dementia is not a single specific condition. Rather, it is an umbrella term that describes a syndrome associated with more than 100 different conditions which are characterised by the impairment of brain functions, including language, memory, perception, personality and cognitive skills. Although the type and severity of symptoms and their pattern of development varies with the type of dementia, it is usually of gradual onset, progressive in nature and irreversible.
In the early stages of the condition, close family and friends may notice symptoms such as memory loss and difficulties with finding familiar words, but the casual observer may not notice any symptoms. In the mid-stages, difficulties may be experienced with familiar tasks, such as shopping, driving or handling money. In the latter stages, difficulties extend to basic or core activities of daily living, such as self-care activities, including eating, bathing and dressing.
Dementia is the ninth National Health Priority Area
On 10 August 2012, the Australian Health Ministers recognised dementia as the ninth National Health Priority Area.
At a glance
- An estimated 298,000 Australians had dementia in 2011, of whom 62% were women, 74% were aged 75 and over, and 70% lived in the community. Based on projections of population ageing and growth, the number of people with dementia will reach almost 400,000 by 2020, and around 900,000 by 2050.
- Estimates suggest that, in 2011, there were at least 200,000 informal carers of people with dementia living in the community, and many of these were providing 40 or more hours of care per week.
- Dementia was the third leading cause of death in 2010, with an average of 25 people dying from dementia every day that year.
Hospital Dementia Services Project (HDS Project)
The Hospital Dementia Services Project (HDS Project) is an NHMRC-funded project which is looking at outcomes for people with dementia admitted to NSW hospitals. Findings from this project have been published in several journal articles and AIHW reports available from the HDS web page above.
Dementia care in hospitals: costs and strategies
Alzheimer’s Australia with funding from the JO & JR Wicking Trust commissioned AIHW to explore the costs of hospital care for people with dementia. The costing work uses data from the Hospitals Dementia Services Project and innovative methods, building on previous work in this area, to estimate the cost of caring for people with dementia in New South Wales public hospitals. The report also presents a wide range strategies and practices being implemented in Australia and internationally that aim to both reduce the costs of care and improve the care experience for people with dementia and their families.
The average cost of hospital care for people with dementia in NSW public hospitals during 2006-07 was generally higher than for people without dementia ($7,720 compared with $5,010 per episode). The total cost of hospital care was estimated to be $462 million, of which around $162 million may be associated with dementia.
The full report was published in March 2013 and is available free to download.
Dementia publications
The AIHW reports on dementia in many aged care publications.
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Dementia care in hospitals: costs and strategies was published in March 2013.
This report estimates the cost of caring for people with dementia in New South Wales hospitals, and presents strategies and practices being implemented in Australia and internationally that might improve outcomes for people with dementia and reduce care costs. |
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Dementia in Australia was published in September 2012.
This report provides a comprehensive picture of dementia in Australia, illustrated by the latest available data and information on trends. |
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Dementia among aged care residents: first information from the Aged Care Funding Instrument was published in May 2011.
This report outlines the demographic characteristics and care requirements of permanent residents with a diagnosis of dementia – estimated at 53% of all residents in 2008-09. |