Latest Laois News: Local TD concerned about findings of Alzheimer Research Report
Ryan Expresses Concern on Issues Raised in Alzheimer Research Report
Sixty-four thousand people living with dementia in Ireland
63% live in community and are cared for by family and friends
Sinn Fein TD for Kildare South Patricia Ryan has expressed her concern after reading the findings of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Research Report, Caring and Coping with Dementia During Covid19.
“The findings of this report are truly shocking. We knew that carers and those living with dementia were suffering during covid19, however the stark reality of this report highlights the despair, fear and worry that they are living with.
Previous research from 2020 has shown that people were worried about being left behind. Now that is a reality and family carers describe themselves as ‘defeated and experiencing stress, burnout, anxiety and isolation’.
“Currently there are sixty-four thousand people living with dementia in Ireland, of these sixty-three percent live in the community, they are cared for by family and friends, who were the forgotten frontline during Covid. The carers speak of loneliness, with some having no one to speak to for days or even weeks.
“Seventy percent of carers have said they need practical support while fifty-one percent have said they need emotional support. Carers have always carried a huge weight. They save the government millions of euro every year, without carers the HSE would be under enormous pressure. Unfortunately, despite the enormous sacrifices that carers make, they have been ignored and let down. Carers have said they desperately need respite. I will be making representations to the Minister to request this immediately.
“The report also states that there are numerous challenges for people living with dementia during the last year. Eighty percent of carers have said that they noticed a decline in the people they care for. This can be explained as there is a lack of routine and missing activities.
“People with dementia urgently need an intensive home care package, this has been found to be beneficial and to delay people going into nursing homes. I will also be raising this with the Minister as it is essential, we help carers and those living with dementia and that we do it quickly.”