About dementia
Dementia is a term used to describe the collection of signs that show a decline in brain function. There are many types of dementias: it is not one disease, and it affects everyone differently.
Learn more about dementia by visiting the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Whilst dementia is not a normal part of ageing, growing older is the major risk factor for developing dementia. It is predicted by 2058, there will be 800,000 people living in Australia with dementia1. It is estimated that Sydney Local Health District has up to 10,500 people living with dementia in our area, with approximately 140 people with dementia receiving care from our services each day2.
1 https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dementia/dementia-in-aus/contents/popul…
2 https://slhd.health.nsw.gov.au/organisation
Our plan
With the rates of dementia growing, all dementia specific services will face an increase in demand. All main-stream services will also experience an increase in people with dementia as either a co-morbidity or primary diagnosis, so “Dementia is everyone’s business”.
The Australian Government is now developing a new National Dementia Action Plan, expected to be released by mid-2024.
You can read our Sydney Local Health District plan for improving dementia healthcare between now and 2030 here.
Our vision
Our vision is that Sydney Local Health District will provide timely, responsive and flexible health care, based on the best evidence to all people with dementia, their carers and families. Health care will be tailored to meet the individual needs of the person, taking account of their broader social and cultural supports.
Principles of dementia care
Our principles of dementia care are:
- Person centred individualised care
- Carer inclusion and support
- Equity of access
- Care provided by well-trained, skilled and compassionate staff
- Dementia friendly care regardless of setting, including design
- Multidimensional care
- Ongoing timely advice and support
- Quality of life
A person living with dementia may use a variety of health services directly related to their dementia diagnosis, as well as other health needs. Health needs are likely to change over the course of dementia. Sydney Local Health District has a range of different ways we provide dementia care to our diverse population. In addition to our hospitals, we have community and outreach services, specialised teams, virtual care options and hubs for particular population groups. This ensures that every individual's health care needs can be met in the right place at the right time.
All our health services can be supported by Sydney Health Care Interpreter Service to ensure the content of your health service is understood. The service is free, confidential and offers over 90 languages and Auslan face to face or via phone/videoconferencing.