Cork TD wants increased support for dementia care

That is according to Fianna Fáil TD for Cork East, Kevin O’Keeffe, as he spoke in Dáil Éireann about how his own mother had benefited from staying at home.

He was speaking during the recent Services and Supports for People with Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease motion debate that was introduced by his party colleague from Waterford, Mary Butler.

He said: “Dementia has impacted my own family, with my mother suffering from the condition. It is important that we try to keep people at home; I see myself how beneficial that is to the person with dementia. We must increase the provision of homecare packages and fast-track schemes.”

He said that great work was being done in the area by the voluntary sector and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, but that it was not right to depend just on volunteers.

He added: “Several speakers noted that the incidence of dementia is increasing. I am aware of several people in my own area with the condition. I read a newspaper article in which an actor from one of the soap operas spoke about his mother’s struggle with dementia. He pointed out that he can afford to keep her at home but there are people who simply do not have the resources to provide home care for their loved ones. I hope the Government will commit to making progress on this issue.”

Approximately 55,000 people in Ireland are currently living with dementia, and it is estimated that the number of people with dementia will double in the next 20 years and treble in the next 35 years.