Dementia is an umbrella term that covers a range of conditions that cause changes and damage to the brain.
Alzheimer’s disease is the best known of those conditions. This brain damage affects memory, how you think, being able to speak and the ability to carry out everyday tasks.
For anyone newly-diagnosed, or for families noticing changes in a loved one’s behaviour, it can be a frightening time. Living in rural Ireland where you may be quite a distance from health services can add to the stress. The good news is that a dementia adviser service has now been launched by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
If you ring 1800-341-341 you will be put through to an adviser in your own area who can talk to you on the telephone or meet up with you to discuss your concerns. Nine new posts have been created across the country to provide this support to people anxious before or after diagnosis.
“We are the go-to people in each area,” says Majella O’Donnell, a dementia adviser with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland in the Sligo/Leitrim/Donegal area. “We really want to get the message (that we’re here) out to people, particularly in rural communities.”
The advisers can help people get a diagnosis and access services, as well as provide vital emotional support to them.
“We’re about helping people with dementia live well in the community for as long as possible,” she says.
63% of people with dementia live in the community at present, according to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, and most people who make the call to the helpline are worried.
“When they get in touch, they often don’t know where to turn. Everyone is also on a different part of their journey with dementia. They may be stressed and are ringing for guidance or direction. Sometimes it is emotional support and reassurance that they need. Sometimes they want to know about dementia itself and what to expect.
“We can help them focus on living well with dementia on a day-to-day basis,” she says, “and planning for the future. Sometimes it’s financial matters they’re concerned with, and sometimes it’s driving. We get them to link in with support groups locally. We also have family carers contacting us who have been caring for somebody with dementia for a long time. They want to link in with us as the person’s needs increase.”
The situation is different for everybody, she adds.
“The person is usually cared for at home until the carer is not able to meet the care needs of the person with advanced dementia anymore. The time then comes when there is a need for residential care.”
Ideally, dementia advisers like Majella would like to be able to reach people before diagnosis or very soon after it.
“That’s so that we can direct them to services as soon as possible.”
48,000 people in Ireland are living with dementia at present. Approximately another 50,000 people’s lives are affected if you count family members and carers.
“That’s why there is a need for greater practical supports such as one-to-one care, like home care. There will always be a need for it because carers need respite. They need regular breaks to be able to continue caring,” she says. “A person is caring for someone with dementia 24/7, so it is a huge commitment and can be very tiring.”
MORE AWARENESS NEEDED
Greater awareness is needed about dementia she believes, because there are going to be greater numbers of people with the condition in time to come, due to our ageing population. The number of people with dementia is expected to treble by 2041. The fact that dementia can affect younger people also needs to be remembered.
“There are currently 4,000 people under 65 nationally who have the condition,” she says, “so there is a need for awareness of early-onset dementia as well.”
RESPITE SUPPORT
At present, there isn’t enough respite support for the carers of those with dementia, she says.
“Recent Trinity College research has shown that there are only 66 specific respite beds in Ireland for people with dementia – that’s just not enough.”
REMEMBER THE PERSON
There will always be a need for person-centred, dementia-specific care, as those with the condition are a vulnerable group, she believes.
“It is important that, in the midst of dementia, a sense of the person is maintained. Everyone has made a contribution to society and this shouldn’t be forgotten.”
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland believes that no one should go through dementia alone.
“That’s the cornerstone,” she says.
Did you know?
• There was a 20% increase in the number of calls to the Helpline in 2014.• Female relatives accounted for 77% of the calls.• Over half the Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s income comes from the HSE. It is a registered charity.• Nearly 90% of all funds received are spent on direct care provision. • It has recently called for more research into why more women than men are developing dementia. Latest figures reveal that there are 30,359 Irish women living with dementia in Ireland as opposed to 17,385 men. • A National Dementia Strategy was published in December.• Dementia care in Ireland costs €1.69 billion per annum. Contact
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s National helpline is 1800-341-341 and is available Monday to Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. See www.alzheimer.ie for more information.
COMMUNICATING TIPS
Tips when speaking
• Make sure you have the person’s attention and make eye contact.• Speak clearly and use short sentences.• Be calm and still and try to minimise competing noises.• One idea at a time.• Show respect and patience.Tips when listening
• Listen carefully and try not to interrupt.• If the person is finding it hard to finish a sentence, ask them to explain in a different way.• Interpret clues but check with them that you are right.• Let the person take their time.General tips
• Include the person in conversation and decision making. How you do this may change over time.• Assume the person understands even if they seem not to. • Don’t speak down to the person or treat them like a child.• Try to ensure a sense of humour.Tea Day
This year’s annual Alzheimer Society of Ireland fundraiser is on Thursday, 7 May. If you’d like to hold a tea party, you can register by calling 1800-71-9820 or by sending an email with your details to teaday@alzheimers.ie.
Dementia is an umbrella term that covers a range of conditions that cause changes and damage to the brain.
Alzheimer’s disease is the best known of those conditions. This brain damage affects memory, how you think, being able to speak and the ability to carry out everyday tasks.
For anyone newly-diagnosed, or for families noticing changes in a loved one’s behaviour, it can be a frightening time. Living in rural Ireland where you may be quite a distance from health services can add to the stress. The good news is that a dementia adviser service has now been launched by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
If you ring 1800-341-341 you will be put through to an adviser in your own area who can talk to you on the telephone or meet up with you to discuss your concerns. Nine new posts have been created across the country to provide this support to people anxious before or after diagnosis.
“We are the go-to people in each area,” says Majella O’Donnell, a dementia adviser with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland in the Sligo/Leitrim/Donegal area. “We really want to get the message (that we’re here) out to people, particularly in rural communities.”
The advisers can help people get a diagnosis and access services, as well as provide vital emotional support to them.
“We’re about helping people with dementia live well in the community for as long as possible,” she says.
63% of people with dementia live in the community at present, according to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, and most people who make the call to the helpline are worried.
“When they get in touch, they often don’t know where to turn. Everyone is also on a different part of their journey with dementia. They may be stressed and are ringing for guidance or direction. Sometimes it is emotional support and reassurance that they need. Sometimes they want to know about dementia itself and what to expect.
“We can help them focus on living well with dementia on a day-to-day basis,” she says, “and planning for the future. Sometimes it’s financial matters they’re concerned with, and sometimes it’s driving. We get them to link in with support groups locally. We also have family carers contacting us who have been caring for somebody with dementia for a long time. They want to link in with us as the person’s needs increase.”
The situation is different for everybody, she adds.
“The person is usually cared for at home until the carer is not able to meet the care needs of the person with advanced dementia anymore. The time then comes when there is a need for residential care.”
Ideally, dementia advisers like Majella would like to be able to reach people before diagnosis or very soon after it.
“That’s so that we can direct them to services as soon as possible.”
48,000 people in Ireland are living with dementia at present. Approximately another 50,000 people’s lives are affected if you count family members and carers.
“That’s why there is a need for greater practical supports such as one-to-one care, like home care. There will always be a need for it because carers need respite. They need regular breaks to be able to continue caring,” she says. “A person is caring for someone with dementia 24/7, so it is a huge commitment and can be very tiring.”
MORE AWARENESS NEEDED
Greater awareness is needed about dementia she believes, because there are going to be greater numbers of people with the condition in time to come, due to our ageing population. The number of people with dementia is expected to treble by 2041. The fact that dementia can affect younger people also needs to be remembered.
“There are currently 4,000 people under 65 nationally who have the condition,” she says, “so there is a need for awareness of early-onset dementia as well.”
RESPITE SUPPORT
At present, there isn’t enough respite support for the carers of those with dementia, she says.
“Recent Trinity College research has shown that there are only 66 specific respite beds in Ireland for people with dementia – that’s just not enough.”
REMEMBER THE PERSON
There will always be a need for person-centred, dementia-specific care, as those with the condition are a vulnerable group, she believes.
“It is important that, in the midst of dementia, a sense of the person is maintained. Everyone has made a contribution to society and this shouldn’t be forgotten.”
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland believes that no one should go through dementia alone.
“That’s the cornerstone,” she says.
Did you know?
• There was a 20% increase in the number of calls to the Helpline in 2014.• Female relatives accounted for 77% of the calls.• Over half the Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s income comes from the HSE. It is a registered charity.• Nearly 90% of all funds received are spent on direct care provision. • It has recently called for more research into why more women than men are developing dementia. Latest figures reveal that there are 30,359 Irish women living with dementia in Ireland as opposed to 17,385 men. • A National Dementia Strategy was published in December.• Dementia care in Ireland costs €1.69 billion per annum. Contact
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s National helpline is 1800-341-341 and is available Monday to Friday 10am-5pm and Saturday 10am-4pm. See www.alzheimer.ie for more information.
COMMUNICATING TIPS
Tips when speaking
• Make sure you have the person’s attention and make eye contact.• Speak clearly and use short sentences.• Be calm and still and try to minimise competing noises.• One idea at a time.• Show respect and patience.Tips when listening
• Listen carefully and try not to interrupt.• If the person is finding it hard to finish a sentence, ask them to explain in a different way.• Interpret clues but check with them that you are right.• Let the person take their time.General tips
• Include the person in conversation and decision making. How you do this may change over time.• Assume the person understands even if they seem not to. • Don’t speak down to the person or treat them like a child.• Try to ensure a sense of humour.Tea Day
This year’s annual Alzheimer Society of Ireland fundraiser is on Thursday, 7 May. If you’d like to hold a tea party, you can register by calling 1800-71-9820 or by sending an email with your details to teaday@alzheimers.ie.
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