South Western Sydney PHN supports primary care health professionals in providing quality healthcare to people living with dementia in the region.
Dementia is a term which describes a collection of diseases that affect a person’s memory, thinking, and ability to perform daily activities (WHO, 2025). It was the second leading cause of death in Australia in 2022 and the leading cause of death for females the same year. Access to dementia support can help improve quality of life for those affected and assist carers in managing the condition.
The most common types of dementia are Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementias, and frontotemporal dementia. It can affect people of all ages, from infants to adults. Childhood dementia refers to a collection of neurodegenerative genetic conditions. Children and young people living with the disease often have a reduced life expectancy. If dementia develops before the age of 65, experts refer to it as younger onset dementia.
