DEMENTIA in Australia is not only a significant health and aged care issue but a growing one as well, with the number of Australians with dementia predicted to more than double by 2058 to 849,300 people (533,800 women and 315,500 men).
That's according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare's (AIHW) Dementia in Australia report released last month.
In 2022, it was estimated that there were 401,300 Australians living with dementia, making the disease the second leading cause of death in Australia.
Based on AIHW data, this is equivalent to 15 people with dementia per 1,000 Australians, which increases to 84 people with dementia per 1,000 Australians aged 65 and over.
Of concern, nearly two-thirds of Australians with dementia are women, AIHW reported.
Of interest to pharmacists, in 2021-22, there were over 658,000 prescriptions dispensed for dementia-specific medications.
Although there is no cure for dementia, AIHW states there are four medicines on the PBS and Repatriation Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme that may alleviate some dementia symptoms.
Further, there has been a 51% increase in scripts dispensed for dementia-specific meds between 2012-13 and 2021-22.
People with dementia may experience changed behaviours, such as aggression, agitation and delusions, commonly known as behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.
Non-pharmacological interventions are recommended to manage these symptoms, but antipsychotic medicines may be prescribed as a last resort, AIHW commented.
In 2021-22, the report disclosed that antipsychotic medications were distributed to about one-fifth of the 68,700 people who had scripts dispensed for dementia-specific medications. JG
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