Election 2007: Letter to ASI Members

Dear Member,
At the request of you our members and our service users, The Society has just completed a process to identify the priority issues for people with dementia and their carers and to propose a strategy to ensure these needs are met through better policy, better planning and better services.

The process of gathering the information has been grassroots-led involving consultation firstly with people with dementia, carers and family members and then with professionals in the area. It is supported by well developed and evidence-based economic and social policy positions. The resulting manifesto gives voice to the issues, concerns and challenges of the experts in the field of dementia care. The rational is clear.

• Dementia affects 38,000 people in Ireland and 50,000 carers. With our ageing population and longer life expectancy significantly more people will be affected in the future.
• Individuals and families living with dementia have specific service needs in order to support their wish to live independently at home and to maximise their quality of life.
• The baseline cost of dementia care in Ireland is estimated to be €400m with 33% attributable to long term care services, 6% attributable to community based services and a massive 57% contribution attributable to family care. Families are providing the lion-share of the care with minimal community based supports. This imbalance needs to be addressed.

The ultimate outcomes of the manifesto are that Government must:

1. Recognise Dementia as a National Health Priority now.
2. Invest €35m per year over the next 3 years in 3 key areas:
   a. Enhanced and flexible community-based services - €21m pa
   b. Early diagnosis, intervention, awareness and training - €4m pa
   c. Medical and social research - €10m pa.
3. Commit to accelerated implementation of the Dementia Manifesto 2007-2009.

(For further information see the Dementia Manifesto)

Individuals and families living with dementia want their issues to the forefront in the upcoming general election. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is committed to achieving this in collaboration with all the stakeholders in the field. We need your support in ensuring all candidates are taking a stand on this issue.

With this in mind, we are including copies of our "Questions for Canvassers and Politicians Card" which may be helpful for lobbying political candidates. Keep it by your door for reference when canvassers call to your door. Feel free to give copies to friends and family who support this issue. Writing to candidates to tell them your story and your issues is also a very powerful lobbying tool. Together we can bring about political and policy change that will result in better planning, better dementia services and better quality of life for individuals and families living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia.

May I take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing support and membership of The Society.

Yours faithfully,
Maurice O'Connell
Chief Executive Officer