Written Answers. - Alzheimer Patients.
Ivor Callely
Question:
75
Mr. Callely
asked the
Minister for Health
the measures, if any, he intends introducing in recognition of the escalating numbers of Alzheimer patients and their families who require support services; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[4608/95]
Limerick East): Estimates indicate that the number of people with a significant form of dementia in this country, including Alzheimer's disease is between 20,000 and 30,000.
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. All eight health boards have indicated that they have locations at which residential, day or respite care is available for Alzheimer sufferers though not all of these centres are dedicated exclusively to Alzheimer patients.
In line with the commitment of the health strategy,Shaping a Healthier Future, to develop specialist assessment and community support services for people suffering from dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, and their carers, funding has been made available by my Department this year to health boards to provide additional specialist services for those with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, in south-east Dublin, Limerick and Cork.
The Deputy will also be aware that my colleague, the Minister for Social Welfare, has announced changes in the carer's allowance which will mean that more carers, including those caring for victims of Alzheimer's disease, will qualify for an allowance and more will qualify for a higher allowance.
The Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990 which commenced on 1 September, 1993 widens the options available to those caring for dependant 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. Almost £15 million has been made available this year to fund subventions under the Act.
As Minister for Health I am very conscious of the contribution made by carers to the maintenance of dependant people in their own homes. I will continue to encourage health boards to develop and extend support services for these informal carers, whether by services in the home, by respite care in a hospital or nursing home or long term residential care.
