Australia is seeing a dramatic rise in the number of dementia drug prescriptions, with a 46% increase over the past decade. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) reported on September 13 that 688,000 prescriptions were dispensed to roughly 72,400 Australians aged 30 and over in 2022-23, compared to 472,000 in 2013-14.
Dementia is now the second leading cause of death in Australia, behind heart disease. The AIHW’s report highlights that dementia affects 15 out of every 1,000 Australians, with deaths from the disease rising from 8,500 in 2009 to 17,899 in 2022. This increase is attributed to better reporting and awareness, as well as the exacerbating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on dementia patients.
In response to the growing strain on the aged care system, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced a $10 billion reform initiative. The reforms, revealed on September 13, aim to enhance in-home care options, allowing more older Australians to remain in their homes longer and easing the burden on residential aged care facilities. This approach is expected to benefit dementia patients who often require specialized care.
Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that 17.1% of Australians are over 65, with the number of people over 85 expected to triple in the next 40 years. The financial burden of aged care is projected to more than double as a share of GDP over the next four decades. The reform package, which has bipartisan support, includes new standards for service quality, whistleblower protections, and the creation of an independent complaints commissioner.
In 2021-22, over 242,000 individuals were in permanent residential aged care, with more than half—about 131,000—suffering from dementia. The rising demand for dementia care underscores the need for ongoing investment and effective strategies to support the ageing population and ensure high-quality care for those affected.
