Transforming dementia care in the decade ahead

Transforming dementia care in the decade ahead

In response, the Australian Government has launched the National Dementia Action Plan 2024–2034. It’s not only developed in partnership with state and territory governments, but also informed by those directly affected: people living with dementia, their carers, and families.

This new plan focuses on eight high-level actions that aim to raise awareness, promote early diagnosis, reduce dementia risk, and improve quality of life. It commits to making Australia more dementia-inclusive by ensuring equitable access to support services, fostering community connections, and empowering individuals with dementia to maintain autonomy and dignity. Recognising that gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-12/national-dementia-action-plan-2024-2034.pdf” target=”blank”>dementia impacts groups differently – including First Nations peoples, individuals from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and people with younger onset dementia – this plan tailors strategies to meet diverse needs. Fundamentally, it represents a national commitment to fulfilling Australia’s obligations under the World Health Organization’s global action plan on dementia, turning a once fragmented response into a gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-12/national-dementia-action-plan-2024-2034.pdf” target=”blank”>unified roadmap for meaningful change.

Achieving these goals requires more than just policies; it calls for a shift in how we perceive and address conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, the most common cause of dementia. Evohealth’s report, Diagnosis to Dignity: A Vision for Alzheimer’s Disease in Australia, reflects a similar momentum, shedding light on the prevalence and economic impact of Alzheimer’s and related conditions. In 2024, Alzheimer’s disease costs are estimated at $8.1 billion, predicted to reach $17 billion by 2050. Yet, within this daunting forecast lies opportunity. New diagnostic tools, disease-modifying treatments, and evidence-based prevention strategies can transform the trajectory of Alzheimer’s disease – if integrated thoughtfully into national and community-level initiatives.

The Evohealth report provides seven targeted recommendations that complement the National Dementia Action Plan. These include educating and upskilling primary care clinicians, developing national care pathways from early diagnosis to post-diagnostic support, and increasing access to cognitive rehabilitation services. The report also urges the creation of more dementia-friendly workplaces and communities, reframing Alzheimer’s as a chronic condition that can begin decades before symptoms arise. Investing in education, raising public awareness, and expanding research funding to match the disease burden are all critical steps toward better outcomes.

By aligning the National Dementia Action Plan with the actionable recommendations from Diagnosis to Dignity, Australia can reshape how it addresses dementia -shifting from crisis management to proactive, person-centered care. This synergy promises that, as we move into the coming decades, individuals with dementia and their carers will have the tailored support, early intervention, and compassionate environments they need to live with dignity and meaning. It’s an ambitious vision, but one that is within reach if governments, healthcare providers, communities, and individuals all work together.