Study reveals extent of dementia discrimination

People living with dementia continue to experience discrimination and stigma, most commonly from other community members, a new study has found.

Conducted by Dementia Australia, the study involved a nationally representative cohort of 2,000 individuals and found people living with dementia face being socially excluded, ignored and treated differently or with less respect.

Of the study’s participants, two in three identified “people in the community” as the most common source of this discrimination.

A third of the participants with a family member or friend living with dementia suggested that community members avoid or exclude their loved one with dementia, while more than 70 per cent felt people patronised their loved one.

About three in four also felt people treated their loved one with dementia as though they were not smart and nearly half reported that people were not keeping in touch with their loved one living with dementia as regularly as before the diagnosis.

Dementia Australia chief executive Tanya Buchanan said it was incredibly disappointing that Australians’ understanding of dementia had not shifted in a decade.

“[It is] profoundly concerning that more people now think dementia is a normal part of ageing than they did a decade ago. Dementia is not a normal part of ageing.”

“Australian and international studies show that stigma and discrimination associated with a dementia diagnosis can discourage people from seeking health care, including a diagnosis, and reduce social engagement with family, friends and the broader community.”

She said this has several knock-on impacts on the physical, cognitive and psychosocial health of the person with dementia.

“We know that we can do better as there are great examples of dementia-friendly communities from around the country.”

Dementia Australia advisory committee chair Bobby Redman, who lives with dementia, said more needs to be done to combat the discrimination and stigma commonly experienced by people living with dementia.

“All we are asking for is to be understood, respected and supported – just basic human rights,” she said.

“If councils, businesses and organisations recognise that dementia is no less of a disability because it is invisible, we could feel supported.

“If friends and others in our community keep an eye out for us and make sure we are included, we can feel less socially isolated.”