Proposed closure of alzheimers care centre condemned

THE proposed closure of a day care centre in Castlebar for people with dementia has been condemned by local councillors as ‘absolutely disgraceful’, writes Tom Shiel.

The centre at Snugboro, operated by the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland, is currently open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

It is now proposed to close the service for financial reasons as, according to the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland, ‘reserves are seriously depleted’ and there is a lack of HSE funding.

The society says the closure is regrettable but necessary as all efforts to secure additional funding have proved unsuccessful.

The closure was raised by Councillor Michael Kilcoyne at a meeting of Castlebar Municipal District.

The councillor fumed: “This is a total disgrace, probably one of the worst cases I ever came across. The centre was a huge benefit to the families involved and these families will now have to put their loved ones into nursing homes full time. I am very upset over this.”

Councillor Kilcoyne was supported by Councillor Blackie Gavin, who described the centre as ‘a wonderful, wonderful facility’, while Councillor Therese Ruane said the centre did trojan work.

“The other thing that’s really alarming is that the figures for people suffering from Alzheimer’s is increasing by 30 per cent. We still don’t have an Alzheimer’s strategy for this country,” added Councillor Kilcoyne.

It is understood that some staff at the Castlebar centre may be offered redeployment to the Foxford day care centre should the closure go ahead as planned.