Alarming new research shows the number of people in Wyndham with dementia is expected to soar more than 10-fold in the next 35 years.
A study commissioned by Alzheimer’s Australia shows there are currently 1598 people in Wyndham with dementia, a figure that is expected to grow to more than 17,000 by the middle of the century.
The research suggests Wyndham will have the second-highest number of people in Victoria with dementia, behind Casey.
Dementia diagnoses across the state are expected to grow by almost four-fold, from 97,000 cases to 386,000 in the same period.
Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria chief executive Maree McCabe said Wyndham’s booming population would result in a corresponding rise in the number of older people, which, in turn, increased the prevalence of dementia.
“While dementia is not a normal part of ageing, it is more common as we age,” she said.
Alzheimer’s Australia’s Victorian branch is calling on the state government and the corporate community to join forces and support investment in a sustained public awareness and education campaign to prepare Victoria for the projected increases.
“More than 70 per cent of Australians admit they know very little about the disease and almost half the population do not realise that dementia is fatal and is currently the second leading cause of death in Australia after heart disease,” Ms McGabe said.
“A quarter of us also believe it is just a normal part of ageing.
“This lack of awareness and understanding of one the world’s most prevalent health conditions must change.
“There needs to be a massive shift in understanding to ensure all Victorians are better equipped to recognise the early signs, know where to seek information and support, and maintain the best quality of life possible when living with a dementia diagnosis.”
