Dementia is Australia’s second leading cause of death and the single greatest cause of disability in older Australians — and the aged care sector is facing an increasingly urgent challenge in meeting the complex, specialised care needs of a rapidly growing population of people living with the condition.
More than 400,000 Australians are currently living with dementia. Without a significant medical breakthrough, that number is projected to reach over one million by 2058, placing enormous pressure on both formal aged care services and the unpaid family carers who provide the majority of dementia support in Australia.
What Quality Dementia Care Requires
People living with dementia have highly specific care needs that change significantly as the condition progresses. Early-stage dementia may require relatively minimal formal support — cognitive engagement programs, medication management, and social connection. As the disease advances, the need for 24-hour supervision, personal care assistance, and specialist behaviour support increases substantially.
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety found significant gaps in the quality of dementia care being delivered across Australia’s residential aged care sector, citing inadequate staffing, insufficient training in dementia-specific care approaches, and overreliance on chemical restraints.
Government Response
The federal government has increased funding for dementia research and care training programs in recent years, and the new aged care funding model includes provisions for higher care payments for residents with complex dementia needs.
Dementia Australia — the national peak body — provides support, education, and advocacy for people living with dementia and their families. Their national helpline operates at 1800 100 500.
What Families Should Look For
When assessing a residential care facility for a family member with dementia, look specifically for dedicated memory support units, staff trained in dementia-specific care models, low use of antipsychotic medications, and programs that support meaningful engagement and maintain dignity.
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