1. TACKLING THE CHALLENGE OF DEMENTIA IN THE AGED CARE SECTOR Baptist Care Conference The Hon John Watkins Alzheimer’s Australia NSW 5 June 2014

2. THERE’S A DIFFERENCE

3. WHAT IS DEMENTIA? Dementia is a fatal, progressive, neurological disease of the brain that causes a decline in normal functioning. There are many different causes of dementia. It may cause a loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and what would be considered normal emotional reactions.

4. NOEL AND JENNY

8. GROWTH IN AGEING AUSTRALIA TO 2050

9. GROWTH IN AUSTRALIANS OVER 100 TO 2050

10. Most people with dementia are older, but ….. MOST OLDER PEOPLE DO NOT GET DEMENTIA. It is not a normal part of ageing. Dementia can happen to anybody, but it is more common after the age of 65 years. People in their 40s and 50s can also have dementia. This is called younger onset dementia. WHO GETS DEMENTIA?

11. WHAT ARE THE EARLY SIGNS OF DEMENTIA? The early signs of dementia are often subtle and vague Early symptoms may vary a great deal Common symptoms include: –Progressive and frequent memory loss –Confusion –Personality change –Apathy and withdrawal –Loss of ability to do everyday tasks

12. TYPES OF DEMENTIA There are over 100 different types of dementia. The most common type is Alzheimer’s disease. In Australia this accounts for around 50-70% of all types of dementia.

13. DEMENTIA IS A FATAL DISEASE In 2014 dementia is the third highest cause of death in Australia after heart disease and stroke It is the second highest cause of death for women By 2030 it will be the number one cause of death in Australia and will stay in that position for most of this century.

15. DEMENTIA PREVALENCE: AUSTRALIA

16. Doubles every 5 years past 60 years: PREVALENCE Prevalence AgeMaleFemale 60-641.2%0.6% 65-691.7%1.3% 70-743.5%3.3% 75-795.8%6.3% 80-8412.1%12.9% 85-8921.1%24.4% 90-9431.5%35.7% 95+37.2%47.3% Source: Access Economics: Projections of dementia prevalence and incidence in NSW 2009 - 2050

17. WEEKLY INCREASE IN NUMBERS 2014: 1,700 new cases / week 2030: 3,600 new cases / week 2050: 7,400 new cases / week

18. TOP 10 PREVALENCE BY NSW ELECTORATE 2014 -2050 State Electoral Division (SED) 2050 Growth 2014- 2050 1Tweed5,701312% 2Port Macquarie5,481319% 3Myall Lakes5,390326% 4Bega4,996333% 5Wyong4,730327% 6Port Stephens4,692367% 7Oxley4,655316% 8South Coast4,653298% 9Coffs Harbour4,354329% 10Clarence4,282226% State Electoral Division (SED) 2014 1Tweed1,828 2Port Macquarie1,718 3Myall Lakes1,651 4Bega1,501 5Wyong1,447 6Port Stephens1,300 7Oxley1,471 8South Coast1,561 9Coffs Harbour1,325 10Clarence1,447

19. PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA HAVE A RIGHT TO: Quality of life Respect Dignity Empathy

20. WHAT WOULD YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT DEMENTIA?

21. A PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIC DEMENTIA is not just an aged care issue but the number one health issue for Australia this century.

22. IN AUSTRALIA Dementia is the number one heath care cost of the ‘big five’ chronic conditions of the new century and is set to outstrip spending on the four other major diseases: –respiratory diseases –digestive diseases –cardiovascular diseases –diabetes By the 2060s spending on dementia is projected to be $83 billion!

23. ECONOMIC COST to AUSTRALIA Current cost of dementia to Australian health and aged care sectors is at least $4.9 billion per annum By 2060 the cost of dementia is projected to be $83 billion (in 2006-7 dollars)

24. ECONOMIC BURDEN Globally – the total global cost of dementia is estimated at US$600billion –1% of the world’s GDP If dementia care was a country the cost would be equal to the 18th largest economy – Australia is the 12th largest!

25. CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE Ensure ongoing funding Increase knowledge and community awareness Reduce stigma Meet carers’ needs Tackle residential care issues Provide good hospital care Acknowledge special needs groups Build dementia-friendly communities Enable quality of life for ALL people living with dementia

26. 2014 FEDERAL BUDGET The Coalition Government honoured its election commitment to an additional $200 million over five years for research to work towards the prevention of or cure for dementia. However there are: Concerns about cuts to hospital funding for people with dementia Changes in ageing workforce commitment Concerns about reduced priority for the home support program from 2018.

27. WHAT DO AUSTRALIANS KNOW ABOUT DEMENTIA? ( IPSOS REPORT) 60% of Australian adults have a family member with dementia 7 in 10 know ‘very little’ about dementia Over 25% surveyed believe dementia is a normal part of ageing 25% said they find dementia frightening Almost 50% didn’t realise dementia was fatal 80% said they would like to know more about dementia

28. RAISING COMMUNITY AWARENESS MMUNITY AWARENESS Increased use of social media - Facebook,Twitter,YouTube,Instagram Increased demand from traditional media – print, TV Ambassador Program – including Ita Buttrose Community Awareness campaigns - GPs Animation for Children Vox Pops (voice of the people)

29. EZEKIEL AND HIS GRANDMUM

30. REDUCE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH DEMENTIA Stigma is due to fear and misinformation Dementia is the 2 nd most feared health condition after cancer Stigma is a barrier to people seeking information about dementia and a diagnosis

31. MEET CARERS’ NEEDS An estimated 1.2million Australians are caring for someone with dementia Carers of people with dementia are constantly faced with physical stress and emotional stress due to grief and loss

32. CARER SHORTAGE PREDICTED Predicted shortfall of over 150,000 paid and unpaid carers by 2030. The cost of replacing family carers currently providing care with paid carers is estimated at: $5.5 billion per annum.

33. TACKLE RESIDENTIAL CARE ISSUES Amongst the Australians living in residential care more than half (52%) have a diagnosis of dementia 87% of that number are in high care Provide sufficient new community and RACF beds Provision of acute care in residential setting

34. SOLUTIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL CARE ISSUES Encourage use of person-centred care Increase dementia-specific staff training Alternatives to restraint and antipsychotic medication Increase dementia bed provision Support for regional and rural areas Better payment and conditions for the aged care workforce Ensure a smooth transition into care for the person and their carer

35. PROVIDE GOOD HOSPITAL CARE People with dementia have a longer length of stay and worse outcomes than people without dementia who stay in hospitals Nearly half of those with dementia do not have their diagnosis recorded Hospital environments cause disorientation & anxiety More dementia specific training required A symbol to alert staff to patients with dementia??

36. ACKNOWLEDGE SPECIAL NEEDS GROUPS People living with dementia: From Aboriginal communities From culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds With a disability In prison Who are under the age of 65 Who are LGBTI

37. BUILD DEMENTIA FRIENDLY COMMUNITIES 70% of people with dementia live in the community Communities need to become more age and dementia friendly – better understanding of dementia amongst services, retail, transport. Better accessibility to events, activities. Better mobility PORT MACQUARIE and Kiama in NSW

38. ENABLE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL PEOPLE LIVING WITH DEMENTIA People with dementia have a right to: Person-centred care wherever they live Opportunities to undertake meaningful activities, to feel valued and engaged in their community Opportunities to make decisions about their future health and care needs while they have capacity Good palliative care

39. UNEXPECTED POSTIVES

40. CAN WE REDUCE OUR RISK OF DEMENTIA? Increasingly, the answer is YES!

41. YOUR BRAIN MATTERS Your Brain Matters is Alzheimer’s Australia’s new brain health program www.yourbrainmatters.org.au It only takes 5 SIMPLE STEPS to maximise your brain health

42. 1. LOOK AFTER YOUR HEART Have regular health checks: blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels Keep your weight under control Quit smoking Treatment for high blood pressure and cholesterol in mid life can reduce your risk of dementia

43. 2. BE PHYSICALLY ACTIVE Exercise regularly – preferably every day Walking, yoga muscle strengthening Use the car less often Research says exercise increases blood flow to the brain and encourages brain cell growth and ‘brain reserve’

44. 3. MENTALLY CHALLENGE YOUR BRAIN It’s important to vary activities, do things you enjoy, its never too late! Learn a language Crosswords, Sudoku, board games, cards Try brushing your teeth with the other hand Read detective novels Research shows challenging the brain makes it stronger

45. 4. FOLLOW A HEALTHY DIET Follow Australian Dietary Guidelines – 5 serves Veg; 2 serves Fruit per day; Fish twice/week; Lean Meats; Good Oils; Grains Limit processed high sugar high salt foods Limit alcohol consumption

46. 5. KEEP SOCIALLY ACTIVE Keep in touch with family and friends Participate in clubs, sport, discussion groups Volunteer with community groups Helping others is a win win! Research tells us that depression and loneliness is associated with an increased risk of dementia

47. WHERE CAN YOU GO FOR INFORMATION AND HELP Websites: www.fightdementia.org.au www.alzheimers.org.uk www.alz.org For information and support: National Dementia Helpline 1800 100 500

48. ALZHEIMER’S AUSTRALIA We are the peak body advocating for all people with dementia, their carers and families. We work to reduce the impact of dementia through policy, research, education and services.

49. WHAT’S ONE MEMORY YOU’D NEVER WANT TO FORGET?

50. THANK YOU