Vol. 467 No. 7
81 Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn asked the Minister for Health the number of dedicated places available in health board day care and nursing home places for sufferers of Alzheimer's disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14055/96]
Limerick East): As the Deputy will be aware, the report, The Years Ahead — A Policy for the Elderly stressed the need to develop a range of services for people with dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, and their families. The report was adopted as official Government policy towards the elderly. Over the past few years additional funding has been made available to the health services to implement key recommendations of the report, including the strengthening of home and community support for people with dementia and their families. Whilst health boards do not maintain places in day centres and homes for the elderly specifically for Alzheimer's patients, the investment by boards in additional community nursing, day care, respite services and nursing home places has increased the support available to those with 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. This is reflected in the ongoing progress being made to improve further health and welfare services for the elderly and their carers, including the development of specialist assessment and community support services for people suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease.
