Vol. 443 No. 1
126 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health if he will recognise Alzheimer's as a medical disease and not as a mental disease or disorder; the action, if any, he will take to assist Alzheimer's sufferers, the organisations in support of them, in particular in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12.
The World Health Organisation defines Alzheimer's disease as a primary degenerative cerebral disease of unknown etiology, with characteristic neuropathological and neurochemical features under the classification of organic mental disorders. The WHO definitions and classifications of disease reflect the consensus of leading medical experts throughout the world. However, I have no difficulty recognising the medical complications arising from this progressive and terminal disease.
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 towards 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's 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.
