15/09/2026
Dementia Awareness Month
This Dementia Awareness Month, we take the opportunity to recognise the profound impact dementia has on individuals, families, carers and communities across Australia.
Dementia is much more than memory loss. It can affect a person’s thinking, communication, behaviour, decision-making and ability to manage everyday tasks. But behind every diagnosis is a person, someone with a lifetime of experiences, relationships, memories and achievements who deserves to be treated with dignity, respect and compassion.
The numbers highlight just how significant dementia has become in Australia:
Around 459,000 Australians are projected to be living with dementia in 2026.
Approximately 2 in 3 people living with dementia are thought to live in the community, rather than residential aged care.
More than half (54%) of people living in permanent residential aged care have dementia.
Dementia is now the leading cause of death in Australia, accounting for approximately 1 in every 10 deaths in 2024.
Without significant change, the number of Australians living with dementia is projected to reach close to 1.1 million by 2066.
For families, a diagnosis of dementia can bring enormous uncertainty. Questions about safety at home, increasing care needs, available support, future planning and residential aged care can often feel overwhelming, particularly when circumstances begin to change quickly.
At Everlight Aged Care Solutions, we support older Australians and their families through these important decisions. Whether someone is beginning to experience increased care needs, navigating My Aged Care and assessments, considering support at home, or exploring residential aged care, our role is to provide independent guidance, advocacy and practical support throughout the Journey.
We also recognise the incredible contribution of family members, friends and carers who support people living with dementia every day. Their patience, commitment and compassion play an important role in helping their loved ones maintain connection, independence and quality of life.
Dementia Awareness Month is an opportunity for all of us to learn more, challenge misconceptions and reduce the stigma surrounding dementia.
By creating communities that are more understanding, patient and inclusive, we can help ensure people living with dementia continue to feel valued, respected and connected.
Because a diagnosis of dementia does not define the person.
Together, we can help create a more dementia-friendly Australia.