Alarming new research reveals the number of people with dementia in the Yan Yean electorate area is expected to jump by more than a hundred-fold within 35 years.
New research commissioned by Alzheimer’s Australia shows there were 745 people with dementia living in the electorate, which includes Donnybrook, Doreen, Mernda, Whittlesea and Yan Yean, as of February this year.
That figure is set to jump to 8657 by 2050, catapulting the electorate from having one of the lowest rates of Alzheimer’s disease in the state to the third most prevalent, behind only Melton and Cranbourne.
According to the statistics, the growth over about 35 years represents an annual increase of 7.5 per cent in people diagnosed with premature senility.
Similarly, by 2050 Yuroke will jump from being the electorate with the second lowest rate of Alzheimer’s (496 cases in 2016), to ninth spot, with 8657 cases estimated in 2050, representing a 1179 per cent increase.
Meanwhile, Hume council is predicted to witness a 642 per cent increase over 35 years, from 1807 cases to 13,422 cases, representing the seventh highest growth rate of any Victorian local government area.
The number of people living with the disease in Whittlesea has been forecast to jump from 2520 to 14,396 by 2050, a 471 per cent increase.
Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria chief executive Maree McCabe said the northern growth corridor’s booming population would experience a corresponding rise in numbers of older residents, which, in turn, increases the prevalence of the progressive condition causing dementia.
“While dementia is not a normal part of ageing, it is more common as we age,” she said.
More understanding needed
Alzheimer’s Australia has called on the state government to tackle the lack of understanding about dementia in the face of these alarming forecasts.
“All Victorians will be impacted, either by a diagnosis, through caring for a loved one or knowing someone close to them living with dementia,” Ms McCabe said.
She said the research estimates there are currently 97,000 people living with dementia in Victoria, a figure expected to grow by almost 300 per cent by 2050.
Dementia is currently the second leading cause of death in Australia after heart disease.
National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500.
