Dementia’s impact on older Australians remains significant, report finds

Dementia’s impact on the older population has once again been laid bare following the release of Australia’s health 2024 with dementia still the leading cause of death of women and for people aged 85 and over.

Meanwhile, life expectancy in Australia has dropped for the first time in three decades as COVID-19’s peak potency saw an infectious disease become a top five leading cause of death once again. 

Key points

• The higher number of deaths due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022 likely contributed to Australia’s life expectancy drop, with a 0.1 year decrease for males (81.2 years) and females (85.3 years)
• In 2023, the leading cause of total disease burden on males was coronary heart disease, back pain and problems and suicide and self-inflicted injuries
• For females, the leading causes were dementia, anxiety disorders and back pain and problems
• Dementia is the second leading cause of death for males (6.1%) and the leading cause of death for females (11%)
• Government projections show that the number of Australians with dementia will more than double by 2058, totalling almost 850,000

The news of dementia’s prevalence in society, and it’s impact on the over-65 population, is not news to those within the sector. However, for Dementia Australia CEO, Professor Tanya Buchanan, she said the report reinforces the enormity and impact of the chronic disease.

“The report provides vital information for governments, and the health, aged care and disability sectors to ensure there is investment in appropriate dementia supports and services,” Professor Buchanan said.

“The data also provides compelling evidence of the need for further funding commitments to dementia research, increasing community awareness and a strategic public health approach to dementia prevention.

“The latest research tells us that with increased awareness of the modifiable risk factors across populations and over time, we could be delaying or potentially preventing 40 per cent of dementia cases.”

Dementia is also likely to be one of several comorbidities an older person is dealing with. Government data reveals an increase in the average number of years Australians spend in ill health, with males unwell for 9.7 years and females for 11.5. 

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare Deputy CEO Matthew James said chronic health conditions are one of the nation’s major challenges. 

“Chronic conditions present a key challenge for individuals, governments and society as a whole,” Mr James said. 

“For example, with an ageing and growing population, AIHW predicts that the number of Australians with dementia will more than double by 2058 to 849,300 – 533,800 women and 315,500 men.”

On a positive note, three in four people aged 65 and over reported they have good, very good or excellent health, including many with a chronic condition. Those figures differ for the over-75 population; one-third said their health is fair or poor which coincides with the rising burden of disease. 

Early intervention and a unified approach to dementia care is something Professor Buchanan would like to see more of to help reduce this burden on older Australians. 

“With the number of people with dementia expected to double by 2054, we need a National Dementia Action Plan to provide a clear vision for the future to move dementia care forward in Australia,” she said.

“Dementia Australia and people living with dementia, their families and carers have contributed to the development of the next iteration of the draft National Dementia Action Plan and we eagerly await its release.”

More information about the current state of Australia’s health is available on the AIHW website.