A new report shows that dementia rates in Tasmania are predicted to soar significantly higher than previously expected.

A new report shows that dementia rates in Tasmania are predicted to soar significantly higher than previously expected.

The Access Economics (2009) report Keeping Dementia Front of Mind: Incidence and Prevalence 2009-2050 reveals that Tasmania, home to Australia's oldest population, had an estimated 6,300 dementia cases in 2009 which is projected to rise to 26,278 people in Tasmania by 2050. ¹

In comparison, the previous Access Economics report commissioned in 2005 projected the number of people in Tasmania with dementia by 2050 would be around 14,300 cases. ²

The 2009 report further reveals an estimated 1,750 new cases of dementia in 2009 which is projected to increase to 8,872 people by 2050.¹ The previous report (2005) estimated a much lower rate of 3,400 new cases by 2050.

Co-Director of Menzies' Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre (Wicking Centre), Professor Andrew Robinson says the Wicking Centre is striving to prepare Tasmania for the rapid increase in the numbers of people with dementia.

"We are developing and supporting increased efficient, effective quality of care provision to people with dementia and their carers."

"Dementia is now the fastest growing and largest cost in the residential aged care system and is the condition that causes the biggest burden due to disability in Australia," Professor Robinson said.

Ms Sharon Andrews, Menzies' Research Associate, from the Wicking Centre, is investigating strategies for working with staff to implement evidence-based care practices.

"We're currently looking at how nursing staff and personal carers can make positive changes to their practices to improve care provision. We are creating appropriate tools to measure family carers' and aged care staff's knowledge of dementia," Ms Andrews said.

"These tools will be really useful for future research in residential care in Australia. By identifying knowledge related needs we can implement targeted interventions to ensure improved information sharing and collaboration between staff and family caregivers."

In 2007, Mrs Clodagh Jones faced the heartbreaking decision of moving her husband, Dr Roy Harden Jones permanently into a nursing home. Roy was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, the most widespread form of dementia in 2004.

"It was an extremely difficult decision to make, but it also came with some relief."

"The thing I miss the most is his companionship before Alzheimer's," Clodagh said.

 "I am very grateful for the work that Menzies is doing to improve the lives of families like ours living with dementia," Clodagh said.

Established in 2008, the Wicking Centre is funded by the JO & JR Wicking Trust, (managed by ANZ Trustees) with further financial support from the University of Tasmania (UTAS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Tasmania.

For more information visit: http://www.alzheimers.org.au/content.cfm?infopageid=6012

¹ Access Australia 2009 report

²Access Australia 2005 report

Released by:

Fiona Horwood
Communications Manager
Menzies Research Institute
Telephone:(03) 6226 7751

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