Action 4: Improve dementia diagnosis and post-diagnostic care
Where do we want to be in 10 years?
Dementia signs are recognised, and people are diagnosed as early as possible, helping them to slow the progression, maximise their abilities and plan for the future. People are provided with information and connected to coordinated supports immediately following their dementia diagnosis.
Outcome statement for people living with dementia
I can recognise the signs of dementia and understand where to go if I have concerns. I can access health professionals who are willing and able to assess my symptoms and provide a timely diagnosis. I am linked with information and supports to assist me, my carer and my family immediately following a dementia diagnosis.
How will we know if the National Dementia Action Plan has made a difference?
This web report presents specific metrics, called indicators, to track change over time, under each of the measures of progress (see Table 4). Measures of progress are part of the Action Plan and are broad statements on how governments will assess if the Action Plan is meeting its objectives.
Baseline values below represent the situation at the start of the Action Plan. In future years, data will be updated to assess if indicators are improving over time. More information about each indicator is presented in the next pages.
Measure of progress | Indicator | Baseline value | Baseline timepoint | Data source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
– | – | – | Data not currently available, development needed | |
4.2 Memory clinic assessments1 | Number of new participants who joined the Australia Dementia Network (ADNeT) Registry. | 2,619* | 2024 | ADNeT |
– | – | – | Data not currently available, development needed | |
4.4 Time from referral to assessment2 | 56%* | 2024 | ADNeT Registry | |
4.5 Time from symptom onset to diagnosis2 | 11%* | 2024 | ADNeT Registry | |
4.6 Chronic disease management1 | Proportion of the National Health Data Hub (NHDH) dementia cohort who had a Chronic Disease Management attendance. | 48%^ | 2021–22 | NHDH |
4.7 Diagnostic & post-diagnostic care experiences2 | 90%* | 2024 | ADNeT Registry | |
4.7 Diagnostic & post-diagnostic care experiences2 | 66%* | 2024 | ADNeT Registry | |
4.7 Diagnostic & post-diagnostic care experiences2 | Number of people who accessed post-diagnostic supports through Dementia Australia. | 2,394* | 2023–24 | Dementia Australia |
4.8 Supports for younger people1 | Number of approved NDIS plans for people living with younger onset dementia. | 9,646* | October–December 2024 | NDIS |
4.8 Supports for younger people1 | Number of people living with younger onset dementia referred to Dementia Support Australia (DSA). | 485* | 2024 | DSA |
Notes on data availability and completeness:
- Some data available, further development needed.
- Some data available, development underway.
Find out more about how data availability and completeness are assessed.
Notes on data status for this release:
* Updated data
^ New data.
Abbreviations:
- ADNeT: Australian Dementia Network
- CALD: culturally and linguistically diverse
- DSA: Dementia Support Australia
- NDIS: National Disability Insurance Scheme
- NHDH: National Health Data Hub