Sunday 1 October is International Day of Older Persons. Did you know that the number of people aged 65 years and older worldwide expected to rise to 1.6 billion in 2050?

As Australia’s leading reverse mortgage provider, Heartland understands the many challenges facing older Australians. In recognition of this day, and on the back of Dementia Action Week, Heartland would like to bring awareness to something that older people are especially vulnerable to, Dementia.

What is dementia?

Dementia describes a collection of symptoms caused by disorders affecting thinking, memory, and behaviour in the brain enough to interfere with someone’s normal social or working life.

No two people experience dementia in the same way, so it is essential to get a medical diagnosis when symptoms first appear.

Common symptoms of dementia

• memory loss
• changes in planning and problem-solving abilities
• difficulty completing everyday tasks
• confusion about time or place
• trouble understanding what we see (objects, people) and distances, depth and space in our surroundings
• difficulty with speech, writing or comprehension
• misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
• decreased or poor judgement
• withdrawal from work or social activities
• changes in mood and personality.

Early signs of dementia can be subtle and may not be immediately obvious.

Who is vulnerable?

Dementia can happen to anybody, and depends on a combination of age, genes, health and lifestyle. However, your risk does increase with age.

• For Australians aged 65 and under, it is estimated there are more than 28,650 people with younger onset dementia.
• For ages 65+ dementia affects almost 1 in 10 people.
• For ages 85+, dementia affects 3 in 10 people.

Get support

• Call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500
• Different forms of dementia
• Dementia Help Sheets
• Dementia Australia library service
• Dementia Australia support
• Dementia Australia education

Find out more at www.dementia.org.au.

Information provided is accurate as of 30 September 2023 and may change from time to time.