Overview

Dementia is a significant and growing health and aged care issue in Australia that has a substantial impact on the health and quality of life of people with the condition, as well as for their family and friends.

Dementia is a term used to describe a group of similar conditions characterised by gradual impairment of brain function. Changes due to the condition may affect memory, speech, cognition (thought), behaviour, mobility and an individual’s personality, and their health and functional ability decline as the disease progresses.

Dementia in Australia

See the Dementia in Australia online report for the latest statistics on dementia

Featured reports

Latest findings

The aim is to deliver better data to improve outcomes for people with dementia and their carers

Goal 2: National dementia data available and reported regularly in key monitoring areas

The plan has 5 ambitious goals to aspire to over the 10-year plan

The needs of people with younger onset dementia, and their carers, are often different from those of older people

41% of the younger onset dementia cohort were born overseas and 21% were born in a non-English speaking country

Only 25% of the younger onset dementia cohort used respite residential aged care (RAC) during the study period

This topic presents reports and statistics that are specifically focused on dementia, but additional information on dementia can be found under Aged care, Older people and Palliative care services.

Australian Centre for Monitoring Population Health

Latest data and information on the health of Australians