AIHW media releases

UNDER EMBARGO—until 12.01AM, Friday 13 September 2024

The number of dementia-specific medications prescribed to Australians living with dementia, as well as hospitalisations due to the condition, continue to increase. 

Updates to Dementia in Australia, released today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, shows that almost 688,000 dementia medication prescriptions were dispensed to around 72,400 Australians aged 30 and over in 2022–23 (42 scripts per 1,000 people). This is a 46% increase in the number of scripts dispensed, from just over 472,000 scripts (34 scripts per 1,000 people) in 2013–14, and a 24% increase in the rate of scripts dispensed.

‘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 their families and friends,’ said AIHW spokesperson Melanie Dunford.

‘There is currently no cure for dementia, but there are strategies to manage symptoms that can assist in maintaining independence and quality of life.’

The increased number of dementia-specific medications over the last decade may also indicate increased awareness of options for managing dementia symptoms. 

The report features the latest statistics on dementia prevalence, burden of disease, mortality, expenditure, as well as the use of health and aged care services among people living with dementia and information on carers of people living with dementia.

Hospitalisations due to dementia have also risen to 26,300 in 2022–23, a 24% increase from 21,000 in 2016–17. However, after adjusting for changes in the population age structure, the rate of hospitalisations due to dementia remained steady at around 42 per 10,000 population since 2016–17. More men were hospitalised (13,500) than women (12,700). 

‘While the likelihood of developing dementia increases with age, dementia is not an inevitable or normal part of the ageing process,’ Ms Dunford said.

‘With Australia’s ageing population, we may see more people living with dementia and therefore, a greater number of health services needed for dementia care.’

Around 1 in 11 deaths in Australia are due to dementia, equivalent to 17,800 deaths in 2022. There were more women (11,300) dying due to the condition than men (6,600). The majority (9,100 deaths) occurred among people aged 85–94 years. 

‘Dementia was the second leading cause of death in Australia after coronary heart disease, making up 9.3% of all deaths. It was the leading cause of death for women and for Australians aged 65 and over in 2022,’ said Ms Dunford.

The rate of deaths due to dementia also increased from 39 to 69 deaths per 100,000 population between 2009 and 2022. However, this change was less pronounced after controlling for age (increase from 33 to 45 per 100,000).

‘The Dementia in Australia report is important in enabling monitoring of the impact of dementia on the community and on our care and support systems,’ Ms Dunford said.

With an ageing and growing population, it is predicted that the number of Australians with dementia will more than double by 2058 to 849,300.

More information

For more information about dementia, where to seek help if dementia is suspected or for available support services, refer to:

• Dementia Australia website
• The Dementia Guide by Dementia Australia
• National Dementia Helpline: 1800 100 500 (a free and confidential service to discuss dementia and memory loss concerns for yourself or others). 
• Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service: 1800 699 799 (if needing help to manage behaviour associated with dementia).
• My Aged Care (for information on and applying for access to government-subsidised aged care services).

Media enquiries: AIHW Media | [email protected] | 0407 915 851