New South Wales dementia numbers soar
Dementia prevalence figures for 2014 reveal a leap in the number of Australians with dementia to more than 332,000. Rates for 2014 indicate that there are almost 112,000 people living with dementia in NSW, which is expected to grow to 132,000 people by 2020.
Analysis of dementia prevalence rates by Deloitte Access Economics reveal coastal and regional NSW will continue to bear the brunt of increasing dementia prevalence rates, while the metropolitan areas of the state will also experience a steady increase in the number of people with dementia.
The Tweed and Port Macquarie state electorates sit at the top of the table when it comes to projected dementia prevalence rates, with both electorates expected to have more than 5,000 people with dementia each by 2050.
The Hon. John Watkins, Alzheimer’s Australia NSW chief executive, said the projected prevalence rates mean we must act now to ensure there are better care and support services for people with dementia and their families.
“Dementia is a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain and is the third leading cause of death in Australia,” Mr Watkins said.
“The rise in the number of people with dementia is an indication of the huge challenge ahead.
“It is essential that we start building better care and support for people with dementia and their family carers. We need to build better community and residential care facilities, better support systems, and decrease the stigma and social isolation that often comes with the disease.
“Everyone, from government to industry providers and the general public, has a role to play in creating a community that can accommodate and support the rising number of people affected by the condition and the estimated 1.2 million people that care for them.”
All state electorates in NSW will experience an increase in the number of people diagnosed with dementia each year.
