Dementia ‘to impact us all’ as nation’s No.1 killer

AUSTRALIA’S No.1 killer is set to be dethroned by rising rates of dementia, and unless something is done to stop it, everyone in the country will be impacted by its grip.

Heart disease still kills the most people in Australia, but rates have decreased 22 per cent in the decade since 2009.

Dementia, which includes Alzheimer’s disease, is in second place, but rates skyrocketed 68.6 per cent during that same period, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Dementia Australia chief executive Maree McCabe said the rise was concerning and stressed the need for medical advancements. “Without a medical breakthrough, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase (from 447,115) to 589,807 by 2028 and 1,076,129 by 2058,” she said.

“There won’t be anyone in Australia who isn’t impacted in some way.”

A “well-developed” strategy was needed to accommodate rising rates, according to Ms McCabe, who said additional support for carers was vital.

“Without carers, people can’t live as long at home. So what’s predictable is there will be premature entry into aged care in some places.”

Ms McCabe said dementia was “not a normal part of ageing”, and risk could be reduced by looking after blood pressure and cholesterol, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising, and cutting back on alcohol and smoking.

Juanita Hughes, 54, was diagnosed with behavioural frontotemporal dementia in early 2019. Despite her initial feelings of sadness, Ms Hughes says her diagnosis “came as a relief”.

“My father had it, so I was aware of the signs,” said Ms Hughes, who has a background in science research.

“It was affecting my decision-making, my emotional attachment and ability to plan things.

“I would start planning something but then couldn’t stick to it; I’d start planning all over again.”