Dementia has become one major public health concern among Australians, particularly among eldered residents.
Below are statistics about dementia in Australia:
- Dementia is the second leading cause of death of Australians.
- Dementia is the leading cause of death for women.
- In 2022, there are an estimated 487,500 Australians living with dementia. Without a medical breakthrough, the number of people with dementia is expected to increase to almost 1.1 million by 2058.
- In 2022, there are an estimated 28,800 people with younger onset dementia, expected to rise to 29,350 people by 2028 and 41,250 people by 2058. This can include people in their 30s, 40s and 50s.
- In 2022, it is estimated that almost 1.6 million people in Australia are involved in the care of someone living with dementia.
- Approximately 70% of people with dementia live in the community.
- More than two-thirds (68.1%) of aged care residents have moderate to severe cognitive impairment.
This program, which was also the subject of a 2014 documentary Alive Inside, focuses on creating personalised playlists on iPods and playing this music to people who have chronic cognitive and physical impairment, including those with dementia.
The results have been outstanding, and as suggested by Dr Maggie Haertsch, CEO of the Arts Health Institute, “the music awakens a part of the brain not impacted by dementia and evokes responses, such as singing and movement, and brief moments of reconnection with loved ones.”
A study on the impact of musical therapy for dementia patients was carried out in 2015 by the Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge. It provided a positive response, citing that the therapy “improved participants’ dementia symptoms and general wellbeing, while also leading to a decline in occupational disruptiveness to staff.”
Encouraged by this, Rotary Norwood recently are stepping into the similar activitiesm through introduction and coordination of our member Noelene and in collaboration with Norwood, Payneham and St Peters Local Council, and Sensus Cognition the medical service organization established to provide access to Memory Assessment Services delivered in a friendly, community setting to help you or your loved one navigate concerns about Dementia.
Recently we had Dr. Stephanie Daly and Dr. Manuela Mauro to attend our club meeting as guest speakers. They introduced the current status of dementia in Australia, how it has become the public health burden, what diseases belong to dementia, what could be the early signs of dementia, the misunderstanding of dementia, early diagnosis and timely assessment, and, the other important factors relevant to our project, therapies and support. This meeting also marks the commencement of our Music for Dementia Project, that Rotary Norwood members shall join the teams of volunteers to download wonderful music in headsets to bring to the dementia patients with carers. We shall bring it as both therapy and community service to those in need, as Rotarians always serve above ourselves and change lives.