Minister of State Mr. Ivor Callely – Department of Health, visited the West of Ireland Alzheimer Foundation Respite Home in Ballindine, Co. Mayo on Monday last June 23^rd to officially launch the Foundation’s Brochure on "Services and Supports."

In his speech he stated, " It has been estimated that between 1991 and 2026, there will be a 75% increase, approximately, in the number of people aged 75 and over. Inevitably, this will give rise to an increase in the number of people suffering from dementia, and will present a major challenge to our health services in the coming years.

Dementia is one of the most distressing conditions facing the older person. It is for the most part, a progressive and incurable condition in which brain function deteriorates causing impairment of memory, disorientation and gradual loss of skills. As a consequence, people lose their independence and require help from others in the basic tasks of self-care. Dementia is a pathological process and is clearly different from normal ageing, in which changes such as difficulty in recalling names, for instance may occur.

While dementia is not solely related to age, it does affect 5% of those over 65 years with the figure rising to 20% of those aged over 80 years. Dementia presents a significant and growing challenge to health and social services due to the increasingly ageing population, with people nowadays living longer and having a life expectancy in the mid- 70s and, as a consequence, being more likely to develop dementia.

It is therefore, essential that organisations such as the West of Ireland Alzheimer Foundation be given continued support by the statutory agencies to fulfil the growing needs of Alzheimer’s and dementia patients and their families, in Ireland.

According to the National Council on Ageing and Older People, family care accounts for almost 50% of care provided to persons suffering from dementia. The Government is very much aware of the enormous contribution of carers to looking after dependent dementia sufferers and other people with disabilities, in the home.

The emphasis on a community model does not mean that residential care facilities are not required. Rather, it means that this should be provided in easily accessible, small local units in a homely atmosphere, near relatives and friends who can continue to visit, thereby improving the quality of life of the dementia sufferer.

Before concluding, I wish to pay tribute to, and acknowledge fully, the huge contribution made by voluntary organisations towards the provision of many segments of the health and social services in this country and to place, today, the West of Ireland Alzheimer Foundation at the forefront of such organisations. Since 1994, the Foundation has taken on the onerous task when little or no help was available and I have, therefore, ensured that for the first time, my Department will provide core funding on an ongoing basis to the West of Ireland Alzheimer Foundation, starting this year, with a sum of €50,000, which I will endeavour to increase next year.

I am hugely impressed by the level of personal care and attention given by the staff to the Alzheimer patients, and once again I thank John Grant and the Foundation for the brave steps they have taken."

John Grant C.E.O. of the West of Ireland Alzheimer Foundation thanked the Minister for visiting the Respite home and officially launching our brochure. Because of the growing number of people caring and the extra demands, we look forward to continued support from the Government. "I am proud of the West of Ireland Alzheimer Foundation, and the services we provide. We are proud that we match the Department of Health funding with our own fund-raising. We have over 155 people employed and we provide 11,000-day beds for Alzheimer Sufferers.

When Minister Callely was shown around the building he commented on the bright and cheerful colours and the homely atmosphere, also he was most impressed with the enclosed garden, which is in full bloom. It is the wish of the Minister to visit our Respite Home in Athenry, Co. Galway in the near future. He looks forward to working with the West of Ireland Alzheimer Foundation putting further services in place in Galway and Roscommon.

At the launch of the West of Ireland Alzheimer Foundation brochure at their Marion House, Ballindine, Co.Mayo by Minister for service for older people Ivor Callely, T.D. are pictured the Mayo Branch

Back Row: L\R - Noel Higgins, Sean Golden, Frank Clarke, Mary Freeley, John Flannery, Marion Navin, Margaret Brogan, Pat McHugh, Betty Dabbagh.

Front Row: L\R - Colette Balfe, John Grant, C.E.O., Ivor Callely, Minister, Dr. Ken Egan.  -  Pic. Heverin Photography.

For a copy of the brochure, contact the office at 094-64900

or email: westernalzheimers@eircom.net