Appeal for dementia-specific Day Care funding at Home Services in Louth

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) is calling on the Government to maintain momentum in funding dementia support and services in Budget 2025 by funding much-needed dementia-specific Day Care at Home Services in Louth.

The ASI is looking to increase its Day Care at Home offering in Louth in areas including Dundalk, Drogheda, and Cooley – but this is pending funding being allocated from the Government in Budget 2025 taking place on October 1st. In June, The ASI called on the Government to invest €5.5 million in dementia supports and services to address inequity of access across the country. The recommendations are contained in The ASI’s Pre-Budget Submission 2025; Equal Dementia Supports, Building on Momentum in 2025. 

The ASI’s submission asks Government to build on the momentum of the past four years with an investment of €5.5m, alongside tangible policy solutions to address: 

• Ongoing geographical inequity in dementia services and supports (including Day Care, Day Care at Home, Weekend Activity Clubs, Dementia Advisers, Clinical Nurse Specialists in Dementia)
• Financial struggles of family carers
• Mental health needs of people living with dementia and those who care and support them
• A sustainable dementia workforce 
• Support for Irish dementia research.

The ASI is seeking an increase in funding for Dementia Specific Day Care at Home Services by €1,000,000 in Budget 2025 to expand the reach of the services across all areas across the country. It says that Day Care at Home meets an urgent unmet need for people with dementia and their families by providing variety, stimulation, and personalised enjoyable activities, and that it delivers quality psycho-social support by providing person-centred activities in block hours. 

The allocation of €480,500 made available in Budget 2024 has enabled The ASI to introduce Day Care at Home to new areas which had the most urgent need. This, in addition to €1.7m already in place, will be spent in 2024. The demand for this service continues to rise, it says, and there is need to increase service provision and introduce it to new areas.

The ASI’s Head of Operations and Community Engagement, Siobhán O’Connor said: “There has been enhanced investment in dementia supports from the Government over the last number of years – however, there is a need to keep pace with demand.

"The ASI is asking the Government to build on the momentum of the last few years with increased funding for Day Care services and Day Care at Home to support, reach and help as many people impacted by dementia in our communities as possible.

“An independent evaluation of the Day Care at Home service highlights that the service enhances well-being and improves the everyday lived experience of both people with dementia and their carers. It provides a unique level of flexibility and continuity of care and can help to delay and even avoid admission to long-term care by creating a more sustainable family care situation.

"Not only is this important from an economic perspective, it aligns with the wishes of most people living with dementia and many family carers - which is to care for their loved one at home for as long as possible. 

“In addition, a further Government investment will enable The ASI to expand Day Care services, providing much-needed support, to people affected by dementia. An independent evaluation of the role and contribution of dementia-specific day centres states the service is highly valued by people with dementia and their families.

"There are a range of benefits including the opportunity to socialise, develop friendships, partake in physical activity, retain abilities and skills, enjoy a nutritious meal with others, and respite for family carers.”