September is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month and the theme of this year’s campaign is, “Time to act on dementia, Time to act on Alzheimer’s”. Every day in Ireland there are 30 new cases of dementia, with 64,000 people living with the condition.
The annual global awareness-raising campaign focuses on attitudes toward dementia and seeks to challenge the stigma and discrimination which still exist around the condition.
Mary Butler T.D. Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, and long-time champion for dementia supports, said: “Government recognises the importance of supporting the rising numbers of people with dementia and their families. Working in partnership with the HSE, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and other organisations we have significantly improved the care and supports provided for those living with dementia and their families. Since 2021, €17 million in new ringfenced funding has been allocated to improve dementia diagnosis, post-diagnostic supports and care services. Investment in the HSE Dementia Model of Care that I have secured has enabled the opening of new dementia diagnostic services in recent years.
“New and expanded services are now available to people with dementia and their families, including 29 Dementia Advisers and 25 Memory Technology Resource Rooms countrywide. With our focus on community supports, there are now 53 Demetia specific Day Centres and numerous dementia cafes in operation nationwide. For those not able to access supports outside the home, day care at home has proven invaluable and has been rolled out across many rural communities. A budget of €2.1 million has been provided for these vital supports.
“We are also providing more home support hours than ever before, over 22 million hours this year, with a commitment to allocating 18% of new home support hours to people with dementia this year already exceeded.
“A new initiative this year is underway to support those with early age/young onset dementia and their families. Activity clubs provide inclusive, tailored supports to all the family, and are helping to break down the stigma associated with dementia.”
Minister Butler also acknowledged the work to make dementia-inclusive communities a reality under the Dementia: Understand Together campaign, encouraging whole communities to take small practical steps to build compassion and provide vital social support to people with dementia and their families, with 1,200 community champions already recruited to lead on actions in their local communities.
The Minister concluded: “Today, the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk will be held across the country. I would like to acknowledge the very positive working relationship I have with Alzheimer’s Ireland, and encourage as many people as possible to take part in events being held nationwide.”
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland may be reached on its national helpline at 1800 341 341, and at its website.
The HSE National Dementia Services website: Understandtogether.ie has a range of resources for professionals, family members and people living with dementia, including a dementia service finder for each county.