Teaching the World to Listen

A special two-day conference to mark World Alzheimer's Day is opening today (21/09/2007) in Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel, Killiney, Co. Dublin. Part of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland's 10th Annual Conference, the theme of the Conference is "Towards a Voice: 25 Years of Dementia Care and Advocacy". It will address the issue of how to listen and hear the voice of the person when providing dementia care.
There are currently 38,000 people with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia in Ireland. By 2026 this figure is set to increase to 70,115 and by 2036 there will be 103,998 people with a dementia in this country.

"For 25 years the Alzheimer Society of Ireland has been leading the way in understanding and providing dementia care. Today, we want to teach the world to listen to people with dementia telling us what they want. This conference is focusing on developing a new way of meeting the needs of those affected by this devastating condition by listening to and learning from them," said Maurice O'Connell, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.

"Alzheimer's disease is affecting growing numbers of people and must be seen by government and healthcare providers as a national health priority. Only then will the rights and needs of those affected be listened to and truly met," said Mr. O'Connell. "We hope this conference will provide practical tools and "know how" to get the process started," he added.

The Conference will address the many facets of advocacy its role in planning and developing dementia services, particularly in the light of the HIQA Draft National Quality Standards. Persons with a dementia have the same rights as all human beings - this includes the right to having their needs met, having a say in how they are met, recognition of their voice as a consumer of dementia services and, if necessary, the right to have an independent voice to advocate on their behalf.

The Conference will focus on the involvement of persons with dementia in service delivery by showcasing the work being carried out by the Scottish Dementia Working Group (SDWG), a group run by and for persons with a dementia.

Guest Speaker and member of the SDWG, Nancy McAdam says:"Our group, advocates a philosophy of "nothing about us, without us". It provides a voice for people, like me, who have a dementia so that we can influence public policies, lobby for better services and at the same time reduce the prejudice and stigma attached to dementia. It's our right!"

Guest speakers from many disciplines and perspectives will be addressing the conference, including Prof. Murna Downs (University of Bradford); John KIllick & Kate Allan (Dementia Positive); Dr Tracey Cooper (HIQA); Avril Dooley (Age Action) and Ann Coyle & John Linehan (HSE).

"2007 is the Silver Jubilee year of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland which was established by two carers who needed support and information. 25 years on the Alzheimer Society has grown into a comprehensive network of dementia-specific, services that aim to support individuals and families affected by Alzheimer's disease / dementia in fulfilling their desire to live as normal a life as possible for as long as possible," concludes O'Connell.