Overview

Dementia is a significant and growing health and aged care issue in Australia that has a substantial impact on the health and quality of life of people with the condition, as well as for their family and friends.

Dementia is a term used to describe a group of similar conditions characterised by gradual impairment of brain function. Changes due to the condition may affect memory, speech, cognition (thought), behaviour, mobility and an individual’s personality, and their health and functional ability decline as the disease progresses.

Featured reports

Latest findings

Dementia-specific medication was less likely to be dispensed to people living in remote or lower socioeconomic areas

Specialist attendance rates were lower among people living with dementia in remote or lower socioeconomic areas

1 in 4 people with dementia who were living in the community moved into aged care after a hospital stay

People who moved into aged care after their hospital stay spent 20-days longer in hospital than other older people

The aim is to deliver better data to improve outcomes for people with dementia and their carers

Goal 2: National dementia data available and reported regularly in key monitoring areas

This topic presents reports and statistics that are specifically focused on dementia, but additional information on dementia can be found under Aged care, Older people and Palliative care services.