68% OF DEMENTIA CARE GIVERS SAY THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT DOING ENOUGH
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland says the next Government must make dementia an immediate national health priority to prevent a deepening crisis for carers and people living with dementia struggling to live at home.
Speaking at the launch today of a new campaign that hopes to mobilise voters nationwide to keep Alzheimer's firmly on the public and political agenda in the countdown to the election, Maurice O'Connell, CEO of the Alzheimer Society warned that if the Government does not take immediate action Ireland will face a much worse predicament in the future as the country has an
ageing population.
It is predicted that the number of people with dementia will rise from a current total of 44,000 to over 104,000 by 2036.
People with dementia and their families are now generating a grassroots led campaign called Election 2011: Action on Dementia! which will ask cross party public representatives once elected to commit to:
1. The development of a National Dementia Strategy by 2013 to be included in the next Programme for Government and to ensure that there is a Minister or Minister of State appointed with overall political responsibility for its delivery, with dedicated funding and an implementation plan
2. The provision of quality driven, dementia services in the community to keep people living at home for longer
Survey results showing 68% of carers feel the government's response to Alzheimer's is poor while 74.5% of dementia care givers do not feel valued by the state have been released by the Society to encourage voters and politicians to ensure the issue of Alzheimer's is top of the agenda with the
new government.
The Society, which saw a 33% increase in its waiting lists last year, regularly sees families struggling with lack of information, a disjointed health & social care system and a vacuum of appropriate services.
A family in every street in Ireland is affected by this illness. These families recognise their voter power and are motivating others in their community to ensure that the needs of people living with dementia are met in the next programme for government.
The charity is also encouraging its members and supporters across Ireland to ask all candidates how they aim to tackle the issue of dementia in the community and to sign up and support making dementia a national health priority at www.alzheimer.ie
Maurice O'Connell, CEO, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland says that the survey of more than 1,000 clients including people on the Alzheimer Society's waiting lists shows that the government is failing to do enough to support carers and people living with dementia:
"This issue will not go away. We cannot wait until the current economic crisis is over. We have the ability to join up gaps in services and streamline dementia care within existing structures. The results of this survey clearly show improvements need to be made and as a country we need to
start as soon as possible."
Mr O'Connell maintains that the first step for the new government must be to implement a National Dementia Strategy as in place in other European countries such as England, France and Norway.
"Evidence shows the cost-effectiveness of supporting carers through streamlined home care relief and day care relief and other community services. Dementia caregivers who can access these services can care for longer, which is what they dearly want to do; this ultimately acts to lower
health care costs and reduce the need for long term beds."
Addressing the serious issue of late diagnosis of Alzheimer's in Ireland, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is running a new public education campaign "Don't just worry about your memory - do something about it!" which speaks directly to the person with memory problems, eases their concerns, gives them routes for support and empowers them to take the first steps to an
earlier diagnosis. The campaign will run across radio, online and on dart and bus cards throughout February and aims to highlight early signs & symptoms, encourage people to seek help rather than worry alone and raise awareness about the benefits of accessing a diagnosis as soon as possible.
Mr. O'Connell concludes: "There is a poor understanding in the public about the early signs of Alzheimer's or what to do if memory problems are affecting your daily living. This campaign aims to give people the tools to recognise the signs and what to do to get help and support as soon as
possible because an early diagnosis matters"
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is a national voluntary organisation and leading dementia-specific service provider in the country. We believe that dementia is the most significant health issue facing older people in Ireland, should be categorised as a chronic illness and recognised as a
National Health Priority. We strongly believe that the argument for streamlined dementia care is both a moral and economic one.
To register your support as either a member of the public or as a politician
please log onto www.alzheimer.ie.
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Helpline can be contacted on 1800 341 341.
For further information:
Helena O'Donnell, Communications Officer (Public Affairs) on 086 7744 883
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland www.alzheimer.ie