The SA Health Services Plan for People with Dementia (and Delirium) 2015-2018 (PDF 746KB) describes the reform required to ensure health services are competent in the care of people with dementia (and delirium).
The SA Health Services Plan for People with Dementia (and Delirium) describes what consumers and carers want, how the health system will change to better align service provision with what consumers and carers want, and how to maximise the use of existing levers to drive change.
Dementia is not a single specific condition. Rather, it is an umbrella term that describes a syndrome associated with more than 100 different conditions which are characterised by the impairment of brain functions, including language, memory, perception, personality and cognitive skills. Although the type and severity of symptoms and their pattern of development varies with the type of dementia, it is usually of gradual onset, progressive in nature and irreversible.
In 2012 dementia was recognised as a national health priority.
322,000 Australians were estimated to have dementia in 2013. Based on projections of population ageing and growth, the number of people with dementia will reach almost 400,000 by 2020, and around 900,000 by 2050.
3 in 10 Australians aged 85 and over had dementia in 2011.
Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
