28 August 2007
From Saturday next (01/09/2007) Wexford people affected by Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia will benefit enormously from a new specialist service set to operate weekly in Wexford town.
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is opening a new Saturday only day care service in the HSE Centre, Summerhill which will provide day care facilities, including meals and activities, for up to local 10 people.
Over 1,112 people in County Wexford have Alzheimer disease / dementia. This represents almost 1% of the population of the county. There is currently no dementia specific day care service for people in the Wexford town region and Kate Brennan, Regional Manager South East & Midlands of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, is delighted that the much needed service is getting off the ground this week.
"The need for this day care service was identified in consultation with all the relevant health care providers in the area. The new service will be available to people with dementia in Wexford and the surrounding areas. Meals will be provided as well as therapeutic activities such as music therapy, hand massage, art therapy and reminiscence therapy based the on individual needs of our clients," said Brennan.
"The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is delighted with the support it has received from the HSE and the local community in making this new service a reality," added Brennan.
The service will operate each Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm at the HSE Centre, Summerhill, Wexford Town, and brings to 93 the number of dementia specific services run by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland throughout the country.
The Alzheimer Society provides an information office at the Irish Farm Centre in Enniscorthy where support and information are available as well as a home care service to help families and carers have some in-home respite.
Specialist day care services are also available on Saturdays in St. John's Hospital Day Care Centre. For enquiries contact Shelia Gallagher on (053) 9237575 or (087) 947 1107.