New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics has revealed that while deaths from heart disease and strokes are dropping, dementia-related deaths are on the rise.

It is becoming increasingly important to understand and manage diseases of the elderly, according to ABS director of health and vital statistics James Eynstone-Hinkins.

“If these trends continue we can expect to see dementia become our leading cause of death within the next few years,” he said.

Bendigo’s Teena Slater is not surprised by the rise in dementia-related deaths. The disease runs in the aged-care worker’s family.

She said caring for her father, Laurie Stewart, during his struggle with dementia had a huge impact on her.

The disease emerged slowly, with Mr Stewart becoming more forgetful, losing everyday skills. He would get lost in familiar places.

Over time his behaviour changed. He was quicker to anger, he became unable to tolerate much noise.

The previously community-minded man became aggressive when confused, alienating neighbours and others in his social circle.

In his final 18 months of life he received specialist care at a Bendigo nursing home.

He gradually lost the ability to walk. 

Mrs Slater would get calls about angry outbursts at staff. She stressed about how staff might think of Mr Stewart.

However, after starting work at the same facility she learnt aged-care workers would never take violence or verbal abuse personally. It was just another symptom to be compassionately treated.

As Australia’s population ages, Mrs Slater hopes reformed euthanasia laws would allow people to end their life on their own terms – an option she would prefer if she, like her father and two aunts, one day developed dementia.

Mrs Slater said dealing with the disease was never easy but recommended children develop a strong bond with their parent’s GP to help identify early warning signs.

She also advised people to learn more about dementia by consulting Alzheimer’s Australia’s website or calling the national dementia helpline on 1800 100 500.

“Keep family close and learn to look for signs something is not right,” she said.