Richard Bruton
Question:58 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, he proposes to take to improve the conditions for patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
Written Answers. - Alzheimer's Disease.
Micheál Martin
Question:61 Mr. Martin asked the Minister for Health if he will make provision for a special Alzheimer unit within the Southern Health Board area to give dignity and the appropriate care to those suffering patients and to give the necessary respite to their carers.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 58 and 61 together.
Estimates indicate that the number of people with a significant form of dementia in this country, including Alzheimer Disease is between 20,000 and 30,000. My Department has made a financial contribution to the Alzheimer Society to carry out research on Alzheimer disease and to identify the needs of carers of people with dementia. The results of his research were published in July last by the Alzheimer Society in the report entitled, "Caring Without Limits".
The ReportThe Years Ahead — a Policy for the Elderly emphasised the need to develop a range of services for people with dementia and their families, including purpose built accommodation. The report was adopted as official government policy towards the elderly in October, 1988. Health Boards have prepared plans to implement the recommendations of the report. Between 1990 and 1992 an additional £9 million was made available to the health services to implement the key recommendations of the report, including the strengthening of home and community support for people with dementia and their families. The investment by Boards in additional community nursing day care and respite services has increased the support available to sufferers of Alzheimer Disease and their carers. The appointment of two psychiatrists specialising in the care of the elderly mentally ill and infirm, with support staff, in two parts of Dublin has demonstrated the value of such initiatives and more allocations will be made as soon as resources permit. Some health boards are planning major service developments for the mentally infirm, stimulated by the commitments in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress to develop services for the elderly. The care of those with dementia is clearly emerging as a priority for many boards, a development which I fully support.
The Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990, which commenced on 1 September last widens options available to those caring for dependent relatives with dementia. Under the Act, the health boards may pay a subvention towards the cost of care in a nursing home of a person who needs that care and who does not have the resources to pay the cost.
I am satisfied tht there has been significant progress towards translating policy into a practical network of services for Alzheimer patients and their carers while acknowledging that more remains to be done.
Within the Southern Health Board's community care programme, Alzheimer sufferers receive a range of services such as general practitioner care, public health nursing home help, housing assistance, respite and in-patient care and day care. The Alzheimer Society provide day care in a centre leased to them by the Board.
In 1989 an additional 15 beds were opened in the Dementia Unit at St. Stephen's Hospital bringing the complement for this unit to 30 beds. The Board accepts that additional units are needed at various locations throughout the Board's area. The Board also proposes to appoint a psychiatrist specialising in the care of the elderly, mentally ill and infirm with a supporting team of professionals. These developments will take place as soon as financial circumstances permit.
The Southern Health Board is about to undertake a major review of services for the elderly in the Board area commencing with a conference on Friday 19th November, 1993, entitled "The Years Ahead — 5 Years On". The needs of Alzheimer sufferers and the appropriate level of service provision will be examined in that context.