Vienna social fund outlines dementia support as cases rise
Monday 21st September 2026 on 00:15 in
Austria
Around 30,000 people in Vienna live with dementia, and that number could exceed 60,000 by 2050, ORF Vienna reported. On World Alzheimer’s Day, the Vienna Social Fund is highlighting care and support services for people with dementia and their relatives.
A study found that 82 percent of people in Vienna fear becoming a burden on their families if they fall ill. Support for relatives, along with greater awareness, is important, said Susanne Winkler, managing director of the Vienna Social Fund. She said advice and information therefore play a central role.
The fund is responsible for ensuring that Vienna’s care and support services continue to meet demand, Winkler said. Dementia is therefore considered across all services, with the aim of enabling people to live as independently as possible while receiving appropriate care for their individual circumstances.
Demand for support expected to grow
Dementia is included in all care and nursing services, from mobile care and support at home to residential nursing and housing facilities. Specialised services for people with dementia are also available.
Two of the Vienna Social Fund’s 11 senior citizens’ day centres specialise in caring for people with dementia. Staff at all of the fund’s day centres respond to the needs of people with dementia through individual care plans.
Family members who provide care also make an important contribution. The Network for Family Caregivers offers them free advice, workshops and training, including support with dementia-related conditions and the challenges of everyday care. The Vienna Social Fund’s customer service is the first point of contact.
Vienna dementia strategy brings services together
The Dementia-Friendly Vienna platform connects more than 100 organisations, projects, districts and individuals working on behalf of people with dementia and their relatives.
It is part of Vienna’s dementia strategy, which aims to make the city more dementia-friendly by 2035. A central overview lists regular dementia services across Vienna and is intended to improve access to advice, information, care, support, and social and cultural activities.