'It's a postcode lottery': Calls for better dementia support in communities

THE ALZHEIMER Society of Ireland (The ASI) has called on the government to invest in community support as there is a “huge geographical inequality in dementia-service provision” in Ireland.

To meet the growing needs of thousands of people across the country, The ASI has called on the government to invest €21.3 million in vital community support, care services and social protection to meet the growing needs of thousands of people across the country.

The recommendations are contained in The ASI’s Pre-Budget Submission 2024 Dementia Can’t Wait – Dementia Supports to Empower Lives, which calls for State investment to address difficulties in meeting a rising demand for dementia services.

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Alongside the launch of the submission, they announced their initial findings of The ASI’s 2023 National Survey – User Experience of Dementia in Ireland, which found that 38% of Dementia Carers are struggling with their caring responsibilities and that 27% of people living with dementia often feel lonely.

43% of carers reported that they have visited a healthcare professional in the last month on account of their own health. 43% rated their mental health, and 34% their physical health as ‘Poor / Fair‘.

63% of families in receipt of Home Care said they have experienced a reduction or delay in Home Care due to a staffing crisis. Many are regularly receiving significantly fewer hours than they are allocated as there are not enough staff to deliver them. Similarly, families in certain areas cannot receive any Home Care as there are no staff available.

The ASI’s Head of Advocacy, Research and Public Affairs, Cormac Cahill, said demand for dementia services is growing, and home care is in crisis – which places an urgency on the government to address these needs in Budget 2024.

“The ASI is urging the Government to honour the Programme for Government, the National Dementia Strategy and to bring the Model of Care for Dementia in Ireland from paper to practice. There is a huge geographical inequality in dementia-service provision in Ireland. It’s a postcode lottery.”

He added: “Approximately two-thirds of people with dementia live at home and their quality of life is greatly impacted by availability of community supports. We really appreciate the support that we have received from this Government (and a very positive relationship with Minister Mary Butler who has been a champion of the needs of people affected by dementia) and our funders, but the truth is that more funding is now required to meet growing need and to ensure that people living with dementia and their families are not short of vital services.”

The inequity in services was further highlighted by Kathleen Farrell, who is living with Lewy Body Dementia, and said: “Everybody should be entitled to the same support no matter where they are in the country. We should be able to stay in our own homes if that is what we want. Time is not our friend; we cannot wait any longer.”