September is World Alzheimer’s Month: Greek Australians living with dementia have specific needs

By 2057 there will be an estimated one million Australians living with dementia. In that same year, there will be 8.8 million people over the age of 65 years diagnosed with this debilitating problem.

In 2017, 15 per cent of Australians (3.8 million) were aged over 65 years. By 2057 this group will increase to 22 per cent of the population (ie 8.8 million people) and by 2097 the proportion will be 12.8 million people or one in four people of the population.

The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare forecasts the number of people living with dementia will reach 1 million by 2057 compared to 376,000 in 2017. Dementia Australia forecasts a higher number than that of the AIHW.

Alarmingly, a 2017 study by Professor Anstey, a researcher at Neuroscience Research Australia, found that more than half of people living with dementia in Australia are not detected.

The large predicted increase in dementia numbers means that there will be an increased demand and need for culture and language appropriate services available for people with dementia and for their carers.

Greek-born people in Australia have lower levels of educational attainment and poorer English skills compared to the general population and compared to newer migrant arrivals. The 2016 census showed that 37 per cent of Greek-born people are aged over 75 years and 29 per cent are aged between 65-74 years. The vast majority (over 90 per cent) identify and are affiliated with the Orthodox Christian faith. 33 per cent speak English “not well or not at all”. 65 per cent have only a school education and 10 per cent have no education at all (compared to 39 per cent and one per cent respectively for the general Victorian population). Only six per cent have a bachelor degree or above (24 per cent for the general population).

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Occupational patterns show higher rates of machine operators, drivers, and labourers compared to the general population. Total income for Greek-born migrants is also comparatively lower than the general population.

The above census data highlights the need for better and more accessible information for older Greek Australians and for culturally and linguistically appropriate treatment options and services. The number of Greek-born people that stated that they are in need of assistance from others was 24 per cent, compared to 5 per cent of the general population. The predicted increased rates of dementia will have an impact on the ageing Greeks in Australia, and strategies need to be put in place to cope with the inevitable increase in numbers.

Melbourne’s population boasts 50 per cent of all Greek-born people in Australia. Sydney has 29 per cent, Adelaide 8 per cent and Brisbane and Perth each have 2.4 per cent. Most of the ethno-language specific services will therefore be required in Melbourne.

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Melbourne-based organisations such as Fronditha Care, Pronoia, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, in addition to a plethora of private organisations have attempted to service this growing sector of need in the ageing population. The Hellenic Medical Society of Australia has also provided public education and lobbied for improved services. Much more needs to be done however in order to manage this tsunami of need in our ageing Greek Australians

• Dr Arthur is an adult psychiatrist with a public appointment at Royal Melbourne Hospital (Inner West Area Mental Health Service) as well as a private clinic. He is Royal Melbourne Hospital – Inner West Area Mental Health Service. His private practice is in Richmond. He is the secretary of the Hellenic Medical Society of Australia.