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1000 People a week will be diagnosed with dementia in 2005
PDF file, 48 KB, March 2005
A new Report, Dementia Estimates and Projections: Australian States and Territories, commissioned from Access Economics by Alzheimer’s Australia estimates that nearly 52,000 people will be newly diagnosed with dementia this year – 1000 people every week.
Glenn Rees, National Executive Director, said “the new figures have significant implications for all parts of the health and aged care systems and underline the importance of the historic commitment by the Australian Government to Make Dementia A National Health Priority.”
National Report:
Dementia Estimates & Projections : All Australian States & Territories
PDF file, 447 KB, February 2005
Analysis in this report suggests that the number of people with dementia will be 12.5% higher today and 25% higher by mid-century than projected in 2003. There are three main reasons for this:
- Higher rates of diagnosis of dementia
- More precise (and higher) prevalence rates of dementia for the oldest old
- Revision of ABS demographic projections yielding higher forecasts of the future
The higher estimates and projections for dementia incidence and prevalence across Australia since 2003 show the sensitivity of the projections to relatively minor changes.
While this means that such forecasts should be used with caution, it also indicates that any actual delay in the onset of dementia – as a result, for example, of dementia research and medical breakthroughs – would have a dramatic impact on the future number of cases and the real costs of dementia.
Contact : Glenn Rees, Alzheimer’s Australia, 0419 303 407 or 02 6254 4233
For information about the Victorian and WA regional reports contact Lynette Moore (03 9815 7800 or 0419 561 164) and Frank Schaper (08 9388 2800 or 0412 150 915) respectively.
Contact Us
Alzheimer's Australia is the national peak body for people living with dementia, their families and carers and provides leadership in policy and services. To find out more, contact us or call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.
created: 14 March 2005
updated: 14 March 2008
