THE NEW voice of dementia in Australia says awareness of the disease is "alarmingly low" with more than 80 per cent of Australians not knowing that dementia is the second leading cause of death in the country.
A new survey conducted by peak body Dementia Australia (formerly Alzheimer's Australia) found that more than half the respondents did not understand the relationship between Alzheimer's disease and dementia, and almost 40 per cent didn't know that dementia is not a normal part of ageing.
The results of the survey, conducted by Ipsos Australia, were released on Wednesday to coincide with the launch of Dementia Australia at the Dementia Australia Biennial National Dementia Conference in Melbourne.
Dementia Australia chair Graeme Samuel called the "shockingly low awareness" and understanding of dementia in the community "extremely disappointing".
"This is quite simply not good enough," said Mr Samuel.
All federated Alzheimer's Australia organisations in the states and territories have now joined together under the Dementia Australia banner.
The rebranded organisation's CEO Maree McCabe said the new name was an historic move and one that would lead to better outcomes for people with dementia.
"Having all these organisations and people who have been so dedicated come together, unified as one, will help us to have a better impact, be a stronger voice, provide better support, have a greater reach and ultimately better serve the people we are here for, people living with dementia, their families and carers," said Ms McCabe.
She said dementia "was everybody's business" and she looked forward to elevating dementia to "the position it deserves as one of the biggest - and growing - health issues facing Australia today".
Dementia advocate Trevor Crosby, who has Lewy body disease, said the new direction of the organisation was overdue and would "deliver new life into the dementia battle".
"The name change has great significance to me," he said. "It makes clear the organisation is here for everyone who has a diagnosis of every form of dementia, not just people with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease."
The findings of the September survey of 1049 people are published in the Awareness and Understanding of Dementia in Australia report. A full report is available on request from Dementia Australia.
Dementia Facts
Around 413,000 people have dementia in Australia.
This number is predicted to reach more than 1.1million by 2056.
It is the second leading cause of death of Australians, and now the leading cause of death of women in Australia.
There are more than 100 types of dementia, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common form.
- www.dementia.org.au, National Dementia Helpline, 1800 100 500
