Ageing not so ‘sunny’ for Queenslanders

A growing number of retirees are reportedly contributing to the Gold Coast’s  reputation for being ‘Queensland’s dementia capital’.

Data released recently shows the electorate of Moncrieff, which covers Miami to Southport, has the highest prevalence of dementia in the state.

Bond University professor of psychiatry, Philip Morris, tells Sun Community Newspapers the statistics reflect the city’s large retired population.

In 2010, 14% of the Gold Coast population was aged over 65 years, and it is expected the over-65s will make up 20.2% of the population by 2031.

Mr Morris claims Gold Coast health service providers are doing a “good job” of attending to the demand for dementia and Alzheimer’s care.

“People are staying in their homes much, much longer, rather than going into aged care,” he says, encouraging people to “stopping the [ageing] clock” themselves.

Queensland’s Council on the Ageing chief executive, Mark Tucker-Evans, tells DPS News the risk of dementia increases with advancing age.

“About one in 70 people aged 65 to 69 years have dementia, while one in four people aged 85 to 89 years have dementia. A healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk; however, we must ensure we have in place services to assist people living with dementia to lead fulfilling lives in spite of the diagnosis,” he says.

If you’re a senior living on the Gold Coast, share your thoughts on this data by commenting in the box below.