Facts About The Alzheimer Society of Ireland

Founded in 1982 by a small group of carers, today it is a national voluntary organisation with charitable status (CHY 7868) and an extensive network of branches, regional offices and services. The Society provides people with all forms of dementia, their families and carers with information and support to maximise their quality of life.

Core Values
The Society has identified three core values that underpin all that we do:

1. Person-centred care - placing the person at the centre of everything that we do
2. Rights-based - promoting the rights of the person with dementia, their carer and family
3. Dementia-specific - focusing exclusively on dementia to ensure dedicated

Our Mission
Our mission is to work with those affected by Alzheimer's disease and related dementias to maximise quality of life.

Our Vision
We, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, envision a world where dementia can be prevented and cured, where stigma of the person is challenged and overcome and where those who live with dementia have all they need to live happy and fulfilling lives.

We are here to help
The Society operates a network of 22 branches, 6 regional offices and 96 community based dementia services including:

• Dementia Specific Day Care
• Home Care
• Carer Support Groups
• Dementia Specific Respite Care
• Information and Advice
• Social Clubs (pilot)
• Personal Advocacy Service (pilot)
• The National Alzheimer Helpline 1800 341 341
  A confidential, free phone service which provides information and support to people with dementia, their carers, families and friends, those who are concerned about dementia and those who work in the field.
  The Helpline operates from Monday to Friday, 10 am to 4 pm.

What We Do
The role of the Alzheimer Society is:

• To support individuals, carers and families living with dementia
• To provide quality, dementia-specific care
• To raise public awareness and provide information
• To campaign for better statutory services, including specialist services for younger people with dementia
• To represent the views, needs and concerns of all affected by dementia
• To influence public policy in regard to care and support services.

We advocate for change
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland represents the interests of people living with dementia and their families to all levels of government as well as health care and long-term care providers.

Through this advocacy effort, we seek to:

• Make Dementia a National Health Priority in Ireland
• Ensure that everyone living with dementia has timely and equitable access to a comprehensive range of flexible and appropriate dementia-specific supports and services within their community
• Ensure full and accelerated implementation of the Dementia Manifesto 2007-2007

What you can do:

• Strengthen our voice by becoming a member of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland
• Connect with your local branch / service by participating in support groups or getting information about services
• Advocate for those affected by dementia ... campaign with us and urge policy makers to increase funding for information, services and research
• Volunteer time, resources or expertise locally or nationally and help us to provide our essential services
• Participate in Alzheimer's Tea Day, The Society's largest annual event to raise awareness and funds for local services
• Become a private/corporate donor or participate in fundraising events