Fair Deal Scheme - a letter to the Irish Times

The present system for accessing and paying for residential care is inequitable and unsatisfactory. Fundamental restructuring is vital. Change is happening, but the policy, procedures and places necessary to achieve a fair deal for people with dementia are not yet in situ and won’t be by 1st January next.

Dementia affects up to 50% of those in nursing home care. It is a progressive, degenerative brain disease that impacts on people uniquely, creating distinct needs that change over time. Any proposed scheme for residential care must be dementia-proofed for the system to work and be equitable.

Ongoing dementia-specific assessment of the person, their condition and their care support network is essential in determining whether or not residential care is appropriate or necessary for the person at a given time.

Adequate levels of dementia-specific nursing homes – offering an appropriate environment, levels of trained staff, and philosophy of care - are critical but not in place.

Addressing the needs and protecting the rights, entitlements and dignity of vulnerable people – particularly those with dementia and their carers– must be central to any restructuring activity.

January 1st is fast approaching but much of the operational detail of the proposed scheme is unknown; full debate has not been given to the proposed legislation; and public anxiety is rising as the closure of the subvention scheme nears.

Implementation of the fair deal scheme must be delayed until the legislation is debated fully and until all its fundamental parts are working in tandem. Until then, people with dementia will not be getting a fair deal.

Sincerely,
Dr Niall Tierney
Chairman,
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland,
43 Northumberland Avenue,
Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin