Dementia diagnoses set to double on coast by 2050, experts warn

The  Central Coast is on the brink of a dementia epidemic, with the number of people diagnosed with the fatal disease set to more than double across the region within 35 years.

The  Central Coast is on the brink of a dementia epidemic, with the number of people diagnosed with the fatal disease set to more than double across the region within 35 years.

New dementia figures ­released by Alzheimer’s Australia show more people than ever will be living with the condition on the Central Coast, with diagnoses set to jump by 118 per cent ­between now and 2050.

The peak body representing people with Alzheimers and other forms of dementia estimates there are currently more than 7,600 people living with dementia in the state electorates of Gosford, Terrigal, The ­Entrance, Lake Macquarie and Wyong.

This number is expected to rise to 8,350 people within four years and 16,550 by 2050.

Despite the dire projections for the fatal disease, Alzheimer’s Australia NSW chief executive John Watkins said one could still live well with dementia.

The number of people diagnosed with dementia on the Central Coast is set to reach more than 16,000 by 2050 according to Alzheimer’s Australia. Picture: File photo

“Dementia can be a very isolating, confusing, confronting and difficult disease to live with,” Mr Watkins said.

“But you are not alone. There is a whole range of help available and, with the right support, you can live well with dementia.”

Dementia is the second biggest killer in Australia, after heart disease and ­affects more than 342,000 ­nationally, but will blow out to 500,000.

The figures, prepared for Alzheimer’s Australia NSW by Deloitte Access Economics, show the number of people estimated to be living with dementia in NSW has risen to almost 115,000.

That number is expected to continue to rise to more than 128,500 people by 2020 and an estimated 272,000 people by 2050 if a cure or significant medical breakthrough is not found.

Younger onset dementia — the term used to describe any form of dementia in people under the age of 65 — affects approximately 25,100 Australians.

Bev Nihill with her husband Steve Nihill who was diagnosed with Young Onset Dementia (Alzheimer’s) in his early 60s. Picture: Peter Clark

Retired Naval submariner and keen lawn bowls player Steve Nihill had just turned 60 when his wife got a call from a workmate at to say her husband “was not quite right”.

“At first I just put it down to stress, but then I noticed Steve would become more reliant on me and would call up to six times a day to check on things,” said Mrs Nihill.

The Niagara Park resident said she realised something was up after her husband — who was working at Gosford Hospital as a patient support assistant — became lost and confused one day while driving near home.

But after months of doctors visits, a brain scan in Melbourne confirmed Mr Nihill had younger onset Alzheimer’s.

But while the diagnosis of this fatal disease has thrown the couple’s future in doubt, bringing huge changes including Mrs Nihill taking early retirement to be her husband’s fulltime carer, the pair remain positive.

“We are determined to live well and not have Alzheimer’s define us,” said Mrs Nihill.

“You don’t know how long you’ve got and this disease can take hold really quickly. But all the time you have to live through it.”

In a bid to provide more social opportunities for Central Coast people diagnosed with early-onset dementia, Mrs Nihill is starting a social group in Berkeley Vale and hopes to get it up and running by next month.

“A lot of younger dementia people don’t want to go and play bingo with the oldies,” she said.

Mr Nihill is a regular at Gosford Bowling Club, goes to the gym three times a week and goes on days out with the Touring Old Farts mens social club.

“You’ve got to be positive, and still be able to have a laugh and enjoy your years while you’ve still got them,” said Mr Nihill.

If you or somebody you know needs help call the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500.