Funding urged for dementia-specific day care at home services in Mayo
THE Alzheimer Society of Ireland is calling on the government to maintain momentum in funding dementia support and services in Budget 2025 by funding much-needed dementia-specific day care at home services in Mayo.
The ASI is looking to increase its day care at home offering in Mayo in areas such as Westport, Knock and Ballyhaunis - but this is pending funding being allocated from the government in Budget 2025, taking place on October 1.
In June, the ASI called on the government to invest €5.5 million in dementia supports and services to address inequity of access across the country.
They include ongoing geographical inequity in dementia services and supports (including day care, day care at home, weekend activity clubs, dementia advisers, clinical nurse specialists in dementia), financial struggles of family carers, mental health needs of people living with dementia and those who care and support them, a sustainable dementia workforce, and support for Irish dementia research.
The ASI is seeking an increase in funding for dementia specific day care at home services of €1,000,000 to expand the reach of the services across all areas across the country.
Day care at home meets an urgent unmet need for people with dementia and their families by providing variety, stimulation and personalised enjoyable activities. It delivers quality psycho-social support by providing person-centred activities in block hours.
The demand for this service continues to rise and there is need to increase service provision and introduce it to new areas.
In addition, the ASI is calling on the government to invest €600,000 in the expansion of day centres outside major cities.
The ASI’s day centres provide dementia-specific, person-centred care to meet the needs of the person with dementia in a warm, welcoming, safe environment while providing support and cognitive stimulation. The centres offer the opportunity to interact and socialise with others, fun and entertainment and give much-needed respite to family carers.
ASIHead of Operations and Community Engagement, Siobhán O’Connor, said: “There has been enhanced investment in dementia supports from the government over the last number of years. However, there is a need to keep pace with demand.”