LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After studying this chapter, you should be able to:
• describe the impact of dementia on Australian and New Zealand societies
• describe various types of dementia and their associated signs and symptoms
• understand the impact of living with dementia on individuals and families
• understand the role of the nurse in caring for people with dementia.
Introduction
Australia's and New Zealand's ageing populations represent a significant challenge for both nations’ health care services, aged care and social policy (Ball et al., 2015; Clancy, 2015). The Commonwealth government of Australia and the Ministry of Health in New Zealand have initiated major health reforms by developing action plans for dealing with dementia and increasing dementia services (Clancy, 2015; NZMOH, 2014), consistent with the Innovative Care for Chronic Conditions Framework (ICCCF).
Australia and New Zealand are ageing societies with high life expectancies (Brodaty & Cumming, 2010; Nay et al., 2015). The management of chronic diseases, including the increasing prevalence of dementia, presents a significant challenge for health services, social policy and aged care (Nay, Garratt & Fetherstonhaugh, 2014; Travers, Lie & Martin-Khan, 2015). The number of people living with dementia in rural and regional parts of Australia and New Zealand is increasing rapidly, resulting in an increase on the demands of available services (Clancy, 2015).
Dementia has been recognised as a national health priority area and strategies to prevent, delay the onset of and reduce the impact of dementia to contain an ever-increasing disease, health care and costs burden, are crucial (Ball et al., 2015; Travers et al., 2015). The number of people with dementia is predicted to rise by 327 per cent between 2015 and 2050 (Moyle, Kellett, Ballantyne & Gracia, 2011). In 2050, it is expected that there will be 900 000 people with dementia in Australia and New Zealand at an estimated cost of $6 billion in health care and lost productivity (Panegyres & Gray, 2010). As the incidence of dementia in Indigenous individuals in both Australia and New Zealand is significantly higher than non-Indigenous individuals, additional services and resources may be required (Taylor & Guerin, 2014).
Dementia should not be regarded as a normal part of ageing; it can happen to anybody, but it is more common after the age of 65.