DEMENTIA

1. DEMENTIA The Ninth National Health Priority Area By Caitlin, Sophie and Gina

2. What is it?

3. What is it? • Most recent addition to the NHPA inititiative being included in 2012 • It is not a specific disease, but a term used to describe over 100 conditions that are characterised by progressive and irreversible loss of brain function

4. What is it? • An umbrella term describing a syndrome associated with more than 100 different diseases that are characterized by: the impairment of brain functions including language, memory, perception, personality and cognitive skills

5. Different Types • Alzheimer disease • Vascular dementia • Dementia with lewy bodies • Frontotemporal dementia

6. Why is it a NHPA? • Due to it being the third most common cause of death in 2010 • Accounts for around 4% of the total of burden of disease in Australia

7. Dementia was added to the NHPA to… • Help focus attention and research effort on dementia • Drive collaborative efforts aimed at tackling dementia at national, local, state and government levels

9. Contribution to burden of disease Overall dementia has a significant contribution to the burden of disease. In 2011, dementia was responsible for an estimated 4% of the total burden of disease in Australia and was the third leading cause of years of life lost due to disability (YLD’s)

10. Contribution to burden of disease For people above the age of 65, dementia was the second leading cause of overall burden of disease and the leading cause of disability burden, accounting for a sixth of the total disability burden in older Australian’s.

11. Risk Factor:Biological Determinants Age- The rates for dementia increase in those aged 65 and over. Beyond the age of 65, the prevalence of dementia doubles approximately 6 years Genetic predisposition- A family history of dementia has shown a general increase in the risk of dementia.

12. Risk factor:Behavioural Determinants Tobacco use- Tobacco use contributes to impaired blood flow and increases the risk of stroke and vascular dementia Alcohol consumption- Alcohol abuse can contribute to specific types of dementia including ‘alcohol dementia’

13. Risk factor:Social Determinants The link between social determinants and dementia are inconclusive, however some probable links have been made Education- Those with lower levels of education may be at higher risk of dementia Social exclusion- Those who are less socially active may experience an increased rate of dementia

14. Promotion Strategies National Dementia Support Program Information, Awareness, Education and Training The Australian Government funds Alzheimer’s Australia to provide and promote education programs, services and resources that aim to improve awareness and understanding about dementia and the services available to people living with dementia, their carers, families, service providers and health professionals. • Increase the skills and confidence of people living with dementia, their carers, families, health professionals, volunteers and community contacts. • Information and awareness raising activities include: Help Sheets including in languages other than English; • National and international conferences to provide awareness raising and information sharing forums as well as opportunity for consumer input; • Accredited training in Certificate III competency units for aged care workers such as Dementia Competency that is also available for families and carers; • Non-accredited six week courses for family carers and other participants; • Short courses for aged care workers; • Community education sessions; and • A range of other activities such as one day family carer courses. • You can access these programs and services by contacting the National Dementia Helpline managed by Alzheimer’s Australia on 1800 100 500 (Free local call. Calls from mobile and pay phones may incur extra charges).

15. ‘Know the Signs’ of dementia On the 14 January 2011, the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing the Hon Mark Butler MP launched a series of communication and education resources as part of the ‘Know the Signs’ Project which aim to: Raise awareness of dementia by: • Address some of the more common ‘myths’ about dementia; • Provide information about the early signs of dementia; and • Provide support and direction to people who are concerned about their memory or the memory of someone else. • A3 poster; • General – brochure; • Younger Onset Dementia – A3 ; • Younger Onset Dementia – brochure; • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander – A3 poster; • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander – brochure; • Culturally and Linguistically Diverse – A3 poster; and • Culturally and Linguistically Diverse – brochure. • It is recommended that these materials be displayed in: Dementia and aged care facilities; • GP and Medical centres/surgeries; • Pharmacies; • Hospitals; • Community care and health centres; • Not for profit organisations; • Senior Citizens Clubs or similar; and • Work places

16. Direct Costs Dementia is a non-curable disease which means that all direct costs are towards the management of the condition. • Pharmaceuticals/medication to assist in managing the symptoms – this cost was subsidised by the Government’s Pharmaceuticals Benefits Scheme • Hospital treatment/visits • Implementing health programs that promote awareness of the disease e.g. ‘Your Brain Matters’ program

17. Indirect Costs Dementia can vary in severity, with serious cases becoming very dependent on others to help with everyday living and survival. This can result in carers being hired to assist with the following tasks, contributing to costs on the individual: • Transportation • Shopping • Cooking • Cleaning • Feeding • Washing • Grooming

18. Indirect costs Other indirect costs to the community can also result if: • The carer is a family member – taking time and possible earnings away from them and restricting their input in the community and possibly their employment. • Residential care – if the sufferer cannot support themselves they may move into residential care and this (if not being able to be paid by the individual) will be deducted from government funding.

19. Intangible Costs Dementia can affect not only the body but the mind. Depending on the severity, the individual may experience many intangible costs such as: • Grief, depression and despair in knowing that there is no permanent treatment or cure • Fear of losing all independence and sense of self as dementia can render the sufferer confused by distorting their perception of reality and their memories • Sadness and loneliness from losing the ability to participate in activities with loved ones and the understanding that the sufferer may not be able to remember who they themselves were or who those around them are