Dementia’s impact on mortality, hospitalisations and population health, with a particular focus on First Nations people, is covered in a new report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
According to the updated Dementia in Australia report, many Indigenous Australians view dementia as a natural part of the life cycle, rather than an illness that requires policies and services to help the person live well.
The report highlights the importance of having culturally safe health and aged care services for Indigenous Australians and growing the Indigenous Australian aged care workforce.
AIHW estimates there are 15 people living with dementia for every 1,000 Australians. For people aged 65 years and over, there are 83 people with dementia for every 1,000 Australians.
Australia’s dementia rate is on par with the OECD average of 15.7 per 1,000 population, but is the 19th lowest rate of the 38 OECD countries.
Nearly two thirds of the Australians living with dementia are women. Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia, and the leading cause of death for women.
The number of Australians living with dementia is predicted to more than double by 2058, from 386,200 in 2021 to 849,300.