DEMENTIA is a general term to describe a collection of symptoms that are caused by disorders affecting the brain; it is not one specific disease.
Dementia affects thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday tasks. Brain function is affected in such a way that it interferes with the person’s normal social or working life.
Dementia is a broad term used to describe a loss of memory, intellect, rationality, social skills and physical functioning. There are many types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and Lewy body disease.
Most people with dementia are older, but it is important to remember that not all older people get dementia and it can happen to anybody, though it is more common after the age of 65 years.
According to the latest data from Dementia Australia, more than 425,000 people in the country live with it and an estimated 250 Australians develop dementia every day.
Dementia is the second leading cause of death of Australians and is the leading cause of death in Australian women. Dementia is the single greatest cause of disabilities in older Australians (aged 65 years or older) and the third leading cause of disability burden overall.
