In 2024, it is estimated that more than 421,000 Australians live with dementia.
Without a medical breakthrough, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase to more than 812,500 by 2054
Source: Dementia Australia (2023) Dementia Prevalence Data 2024-2054, commissioned research undertaken by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
Symptoms of dementia almost always include much more than memory changes such as difficulty in finding the right words or understanding what people are saying, difficulty in performing previously routine tasks, and personality and mood changes. Because dementia can be caused by so many different conditions, everyone’s experience of dementia is unique.
We understand the unique nature of dementia with skilled and qualified healthcare professionals available to support customers and their families.
In mild or early-stage dementia, you might experience some changes in your thinking and memory.
You might sometimes repeat yourself, mix up words, or misplace things more than you used to.
You might struggle more in social situations, or feel less motivated.
But most people with early-stage dementia are able to support themselves. In fact, many people at this stage don’t have a diagnosis of dementia, because their changes haven’t felt worrying enough for them to get tested.
In moderate or middle-stage dementia, the changes to your mood, memory, thinking and behaviour are stronger. They have a bigger effect on your ability to do everyday things and take care of yourself.
You might have more trouble concentrating, understanding, reasoning and communicating.
You might forget how to dress or bathe, or to recognise family and friends.
You might experience confusion, distress, mood changes and aggression.
These stronger changes mean you will likely need support from other people, at home and in the community.
In severe or late-stage dementia, your symptoms will be very strong. You may be unable to communicate, walk, control your bodily functions or look after your hygiene. You may be unable to remember people or places, and be unable to form new memories.
At this stage, people living with dementia will require constant supervision and care such as in a specialised aged care facility with professional support and monitoring
Dementia can impact the way a person communicates, remembers, makes judgements and navigates social situations.
- Memory loss
- Difficulty thinking
- Trouble recognising people
- Confusion or begin acting unlike themselves.
Source: Dementia Australia
There are many different treatments and ways to manage dementia. There’s no known cure for dementia yet. But there are treatments to help you live the best life you can.
If you are diagnosed with dementia, your doctor and a specialist, like a neurologist, psychogeriatrician, geriatrician or psychiatrist, will usually be involved in prescribing medications for you.
There is currently no known medication that can cure dementia. But medication can treat some of the symptoms that come with different forms of dementia. They can also help with some of the conditions that come along with dementia, like anxiety and sleep problems.
Trials are in progress assessing benefits of an Alzheimer’s vaccine (having a component of the amyloid protein found in plaques), inhibitors of the enzymes that produce amyloid and therapies using nerve growth factor. These approaches may prove to be effective, but much more work is needed.
Researchers around the world are working to develop effective treatments for dementia, and eventually to find a cure. Much of this work is focussed on Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia.
We understand the unique nature of dementia with skilled and qualified healthcare professionals available to support customers and their families.
All Just Better Care team members who support customers and their families living with dementia undertake education and training from DTA.
DTA combines the expertise of four universities to deliver a coordinated national approach to dementia training for individuals and organisations.
As a carer, supporting a person with dementia to wash, bathe and dress can be emotionally and physically challenging and looking after a person’s personal care can be a big step in your caring role. It is common to need extra emotional and practical support at this stage.
Just Better Care, support customers and their family with travel and transport services, personal care, meal preparation, medication management, respite support for carers as well as intensive 24-hour care, in-home nursing and palliative care.
Dementia Australia are the national peak body supporting people living with dementia. They are committed to achieving a dementia-friendly Australia where people with dementia are respected, supported, empowered, and engaged in community life.
For more information visit their website or call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.
To view more films and access resources about dementia in Hindi, Tamil, Simplified and Traditional Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, Greek, Italian, Arabic & Spanish, visit the Moving Pictures project website
Just Better Care acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. We also acknowledge the diversity of Australian culture and extend our support to all individuals, regardless of culture or sexuality.
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