<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Almost half a million people are living with the disease responsible for the most deaths in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/australia" rel="" target="" title="Australia"><span>Australia</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Dementia Australia has </span><a href="https://www.dementia.org.au/about-dementia/dementia-facts-and-figures" rel="" target="_blank" title="revealed the number of Australians living with dementia this year has increased"><span>revealed the number of Australians living with dementia this year has increased</span></a><span> to an estimated 446,500.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This figure is projected to more than double to over one million people by 2065.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/gus-lamont-missing-update-police-to-provide-significant-update/d6b4b5d2-a122-4731-ac12-3c14953ed2c5"><strong><span>Police to make major announcement in search for missing boy Gus Lamont</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/bunnings-wins-right-to-use-facial-recognition-technology-in-stores/60c8ba2c-865f-410d-922c-4714010c01e7" rel="" target="" title="Bunnings wins right to use facial recognition CCTV in stores"><strong><span>Bunnings wins right to use facial recognition CCTV in stores</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The condition is the nation's biggest killer, affecting both sufferers and their families.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The data also revealed an estimated 29,000 people aged 18 to 65 are living with young onset dementia, which could increase to an estimated 41,000 by 2054.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/new-data-suggests-number-of-australians-living-with-dementia-set-to-rise/742f7820-4d50-436a-8c9e-9010ff27b472" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Meanwhile, an estimated 1500 children live with childhood dementia in </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/australia" rel="" target="" title="Australia"><span>Australia</span></a><span>.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In 2026, there are an estimated 145,700 people living with all forms of dementia in NSW, which is projected to increase to an estimated 252,800 by 2054.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Dementia Australia chief executive Professor Tanya Buchanan said the number of people developing dementia rapidly increasing.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There is a critical demand for a national program to promote brain health throughout our lives as well as a pressing need to provide quality care and support services for people of all ages living with dementia, their families and carers," Professor Buchanan said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Dementia Australia is calling for essential investment from the federal government in implementing the National Dementia Action Plan, a ten-year government framework released in late 2024 aiming to improve the lives of people living with dementia and their carers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Australia is recognised internationally for its strengths in dementia care, support and research, but the system still has areas that need improvement. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Funding the delivery of the National Dementia Action Plan is essential for all Australians impacted by dementia." </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here 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