Written Answers - Alzheimer's Disease.
Ivor Callely
Question:
68
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Health
the progress made to enhance the services for Alzheimer's patients in 1994; if his Department has adopted the report published by the Alzheimer's Society, Caring Without Limits; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Richard Bruton
Question:
153
Mr. R. Bruton
asked the
Minister for Health
the plans, if any, he has to introduce a charter for the care of patients with Alzheimer's disease which would cover community care and appropriate long term care.
I propose to answer Questions Nos. 68 and 153 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. As Minister for Health, I have stated my desire to publish a Charter of Rights for the Elderly, building on the successful Charter of Rights for Hospital Patients which was launched in 1992. I have asked the National Council for the Elderly for their views on the contents of a charter and have now received their submission. The publication of this charter later this year, will be another important development in the care of our dependent elderly population.
The report,The Years Ahead — A Policy for the Elderly stressed 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 for the elderly. 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 care of those with dementia is clearly emerging as a priority for many boards, a development which I fully support.
In 1994, funding is being made available to provide specialist services for those with dementia in south-east Dublin, Limerick and Cork. It is hoped that these services will be in operation before the end of the year or early next year. My Department is also considering a request from the Alzheimer Society towards the development of the valuable services of the society.
The Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990, which commenced on 1 September, 1993, widens the options available to those caring for dependent relatives with dementia. Under the Act, 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.
The reportCaring without Limits which was published by the Alzheimer Society in July last year provides an important insight into the lives of those who bear the brunt of Alzheimer disease — the carers. I was pleased that my Department allocated a grant to the Alzheimer Society to enable this important research to be carried out. This report reflects the views expressed in The Years Ahead, namely that if carers are to continue giving care without intolerable cost to their own lives, more assistance is required from the health services for their support.
The Government has expanded the eligibility criteria for the carer's allowance in recognition of the burden on relatives of caring for dependent elderly people such as those with dementia. As Minister for Health I am very conscious of the contribution made by carers to the maintenance of dependent people in their own homes, and I will continue to encourage health boards to develop and extend support services for these informal carers, whether by services in the home or by way of respite care in a hospital or nursing home.
