Measure 2.2: Improved knowledge among Australians about what dementia is and how it affects people living with dementia
Despite the widespread impact of dementia, Australians generally have a poor understanding of dementia and think that dementia is a normal part of ageing.
It is important to monitor levels of dementia knowledge amongst Australians. The more people understand about dementia, the more likely they are to obtain a timely diagnosis if concerns arise, seek appropriate care and support, challenge incorrect stereotypes, and help people living with dementia to live in a supportive environment.
Data are available from the Dementia Awareness Survey to track this measure.
Knowledge about dementia
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Indicator
Average dementia knowledge scores among Australians (using the Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale; DKAS).
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Baseline value
Average score of 21 out of 50 in 2023
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Latest value
Baseline value only
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Progress
To be provided in future updates
The Dementia Knowledge Assessment Scale (DKAS) measures what people know about the most common forms of dementia. A higher score represents better dementia knowledge. The highest score possible to record is 50.
The desired outcome is that Australians understand dementia better, meaning this indicator should increase over time.
Change over time
Future updates of this report will track changes over time for this indicator.
In 2023, statistically significant higher levels of general dementia knowledge were reported among:
- women (compared with men)
- people with tertiary qualifications (compared with people who finished school before Year 12)
- people with an annual household income of $20,800 or more (compared with $20,799 or less)
- people who had a family member or friend living with dementia (compared with those who did not)
- people who had worked with people living with dementia (compared with those who had not)
- people born in Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, or New Zealand (compared with those born elsewhere)
- non-heterosexual people (compared with heterosexual people)
- people who lived in Inner regional areas of Australia (compared with those living in Major cities).
Further information can be found in the Dementia Awareness Survey findings.
These data come from the Dementia Awareness Survey (DAS).
The DAS was first run in 2023, surveying more than 5,400 Australian adults to understand general knowledge of dementia and dementia risk factors, and community attitudes towards dementia and people living with dementia in Australia.
Data are reported by population groups where data quality allows.
Comprehensive technical notes detailing survey methodology, questionnaire design, sampling, weighting and significance testing are available from the Dementia Awareness Survey technical notes.