More than 1,100 Hawkesbury residents are estimated to be living with dementia, giving advances in Alzheimer’s treatment particular significance for local families.
Dementia Australia’s modelling puts the number of people living with dementia in the Hawkesbury local government area at 1,112 in 2026, rising to a projected 1,854 by 2054 an increase of about 67 per cent.
These figures cover all forms of dementia and are population estimates, rather than a count of diagnosed cases. They nevertheless highlight the growing need for treatment, care and support across the district.
For families facing a diagnosis, recent scientific progress offers cautious hope. After decades of disappointing trials, medicines are now available that can slow the progression of early Alzheimer’s disease in selected patients.
The two antibody treatments, donanemab, sold as Kisunla, and lecanemab, sold as Leqembi, target amyloid, a protein that accumulates in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s.
Clinical trials found that people receiving these medicines experienced slower deterioration in memory, thinking and everyday functioning than those receiving a placebo.
They do not cure Alzheimer’s, restore lost memories or stop deterioration altogether. Their significance is that they can alter the course of the disease, rather than simply help manage symptoms.
Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration approved donanemab in May 2025 and lecanemab in September 2025.
Both have restricted eligibility, covering people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s. Their Australian approvals exclude people carrying two copies of the APOE ε4 gene. Specialist assessment is needed to determine suitability.
Understanding the benefit is important.
Lecanemab’s major trial found approximately 27 per cent less decline on a combined measure of cognition and daily functioning over 18 months compared with placebo.
That does not mean a 27 per cent improvement in memory. Both groups deteriorated, but the treated group declined more slowly on average. Individual outcomes vary.
Treatment also carries risks and practical demands. Patients require infusions and monitoring, including MRI scans to check for potentially serious brain swelling or bleeding.
Families need to discuss those risks, the likely benefit and the demands of treatment with a specialist. Australian regulatory approval does not automatically establish government subsidy or availability through a nearby service.
Research is also moving beyond these first treatments. Scientists are investigating earlier intervention, inflammation, abnormal tau proteins and combinations of therapies that might address several disease processes together.
Trials are examining whether treating people before memory problems develop could delay symptoms. These approaches remain under investigation, rather than established methods of preventing Alzheimer’s.
For Hawkesbury families, an important distinction remains: dementia describes several conditions, and the new antibody treatments concern early Alzheimer’s disease. They have not been established as treatments for every form or stage of dementia. Existing medicines, personalised care and practical support remain essential.
Anyone experiencing persistent changes in memory, language, judgement or everyday functioning should speak with their GP. Assessment can help identify the cause and guide appropriate treatment and support.
With local dementia numbers projected to grow substantially, the challenge extends beyond developing new medicines. It includes ensuring residents and carers can obtain timely assessment, understandable information and ongoing care.
The scientific progress is real. The task now is to make its benefits safer, greater and accessible to more families.
