In the lead-up to the state election later this month, Alzheimer's Australia NSW is also lobbying the major political parties to: commit to funding for a dementia centre in Western Sydney; provide funding support to help create dementia-friendly communities and; implement initiatives to support improved hospital care for dementia sufferers.

Figures show the Port Macquarie electorate has the third highest dementia prevalence rate of the 93 NSW state electorates, with an estimated 1,730 people living with dementia.

This number is expected to increase to 1,940 by 2020 and 3,500 by 2050.

This compares with 112,000 people with dementia statewide and predictions of an estimated 128,500 people by 2020 and 272,000 by 2050.

"These figures show dementia is an issue that is only going to get bigger and we really need a whole-of-government approach to appropriately tackle the challenge," Alzheimer's Australia NSW chief executive officer John Watkins said.

"This means taking a serious look at how to provide much better care for people with dementia when they need to go to hospital, increasing specialist palliative care and adequately funding health-related transport so people living with dementia can access health and medical-related appointments.

"With the tragically high level of dementia in Aboriginal communities, we also need to look specifically at dementia care and risk reduction measures for that community.

"Dementia is an issue that cannot be ignored and will not go away. It demands effective, comprehensive action by the NSW Government."

nicole.langdon@fairfaxmedia.com.au