MORE than one million Australians will be living with dementia by 2065 unless significant interventions take place, a new report released today from the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare (AIHW) reveals.
In line with the start of Dementia Action Week, which begins today, the Dementia in Australia report shows the symptom group has become the leading cause of death for Australians, surpassing heart disease for top spot.
There is currently an estimated 433,000 Australians living with a form of the condition, among which are 29,000 under the age of 65 - along with 1.7 million people involved in their daily care.
The updated report shows nearly half of Australia's dementia burden can be attributed to six factors which are modifiable, including weight and obesity, high blood sugar and blood pressure, physical inactivity, smoking and impaired kidney function.
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said the report lays bare the "enormous impact" that dementia has on Australians.
"People affected by dementia often tell us that friends and family drift away after a diagnosis, because they are unsure of how to interact," Professor Buchanan said.
In 2025, the theme for Dementia Action Week is 'Nobody can do it alone', with Australians challenged to reconnect with somebody affected by dementia to help fight high levels of social isolation.
Dementia Australia Dementia Advocate Lil Mirtl, who lives with the condition, said it is critical Australians act now to provide the support and services needed.
"We don't have time to feel uncomfortable or awkward about these conversations about dementia - we need to have them now," Mirtl said.
"We have to pull together as a community to do this - we can't do it alone as individuals, the government can't do it alone, we need to all act together."
Professor Buchanan said it is now more pressing than ever that the Federal Government funds a national conversation on dementia to raise awareness and promote brain health, now that the disease is the nation's leading killer.
The association is also calling for the establishment of a national network of 'Specialist Navigators' to work with individuals and families to provide expert advice and connect them to the right services following a diagnosis.
"By taking a comprehensive approach to addressing dementia, we can reduce the impact of dementia into the future," Professor Buchanan said.
"With aged care across the country already under pressure, and the number of people living with dementia expected to exceed one million by 2065, we simply cannot afford to wait.
"People living with dementia, their families and carers are depending on us to do this right, and to do it now."
MEANWHILE, building on Dementia Action Week, Dementia Australia has joined forces with News Corp to encourage Australians to 'think again' about dementia by downloading the 'Braintrack' mobile app, which monitors changes to a person's cognitive ability over time through memory and thinking skills.
The app generates reports that people can then take to their GP to help spot concerns early. ML
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