Geelong ‘worst’ for dementia

Alex de Vos
A new report has revealed Geelong has the most dementia sufferers in the state.
Alzheimer’s Australia Victorian chief executive Lynette Moore said the statistics revealed 3300 Geelong residents suffered dementia, making the city the state’s leading hot-spot for the disease.
Ms Moore expected the figures to rise to 13,000 by 2050, an increase of nearly 400 per cent.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia. As the incurable and deadly disease advances, symptoms include confusion, irritability and aggression, mood swings and long-term memory loss. Gradually bodily functions are lost, eventually causing death.
Ms Moore called on governments to “urgently” address the epidemic.
“The new reports tell us dementia cannot be ignored,” she said.
“The burden of care is going to fall more onto families and there are already waiting lists and the needs of families are simply not being met.
“Families deserve better than this – our governments need to urgently start funding more services in the specific areas of greatest needs and address the statewide issues like awareness, risk reduction promotion and research.”
Ms Moore said the disease was the third leading cause of death in Australia.
“In 10 years time there will be 98,000 people with dementia in Victoria – a 50 per cent increase on 2010. This disease is going to have a huge impact on our health and social welfare systems, as well as the lives of individuals and families.”
Ms Moore welcomed Federal Government’s proposed health reform promising more doctors, nurses and hospital beds. However, she said more funding was needed to support people with dementia.
Federal Ageing Minister Justine Elliot said she recognised the “impact of dementia on our ageing population”.
The Federal Government was “investing” in additional services for sufferers and carers as well as research to combat the disease.