Dementia: 46% jump in scripts dispensed, health services use increases

The latest data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) shows that almost 688,000 dementia medication prescriptions were dispensed to around 72,400 Australians aged 30 and over in 2022–23 (42 scripts per 1000 people). This is a 46% increase in the number of dementia-specific medications prescribed in 2013–14, at just over 472,000 scripts (34 scripts per 1000 people), and a 24% increase in the rate of scripts dispensed.

AIHW’s Dementia in Australia report features the latest statistics on dementia prevalence, burden of disease, mortality and expenditure, as well as the use of health and aged care services among people living with dementia and information on carers of people living with dementia.

​“Dementia is a significant and growing health and aged care issue in Australia that has a substantial impact on the health and quality of life of people with the condition, as well as their families and friends,” said AIHW spokesperson Melanie Dunford.

​“There is currently no cure for dementia, but there are strategies to manage symptoms that can assist in maintaining independence and quality of life.”

The increased number of dementia-specific medications over the last decade may also indicate increased awareness of options for managing dementia symptoms, according to the authors.

Hospitalisations due to dementia have risen to 26,300 in 2022–23, a 24% increase from 21,000 in 2016–17. However, after adjusting for changes in the population age structure, the rate of hospitalisations due to dementia remained steady at around 42 per 10,000 population since 2016–17. More men were hospitalised (13,500) than women (12,700).

​“While the likelihood of developing dementia increases with age, dementia is not an inevitable or normal part of the aging process,” Dunford said.

​“With Australia’s aging population, we may see more people living with dementia and, therefore, a greater number of health services needed for dementia care.”

​Around one in 11 deaths in Australia are due to dementia, equivalent to 17,800 deaths in 2022. There were more women (11,300) dying due to the condition than men (6600). The majority (9100 deaths) occurred among people aged 85–94 years.

​“Dementia was the second leading cause of death in Australia after coronary heart disease, making up 9.3% of all deaths. It was the leading cause of death for women and for Australians aged 65 and over in 2022,” Dunford said.

The rate of deaths due to dementia also increased from 39 to 69 deaths per 100,000 population between 2009 and 2022. However, this change was less pronounced after controlling for age (increase from 33 to 45 per 100,000).

With an aging and growing population, it is predicted that the number of Australians with dementia will more than double by 2058 to 849,300.

Image credit: iStock.com/AlexanderFord