The Alzheimers Society of Ireland – Leading Dementia Specific Service in Ireland
Each week in Donegal, three new families are afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Of the over 2,200 families currently affected by Alzheimer’s in Donegal about 450 are in Inishowen, with about 40 of those families receiving help from the Donegal Branch of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland [ASI].
ASI is Ireland's leading charity providing services and respite care for those affected (and their carers) by Alzheimer's disease (the most common type) and related dementias. There are now over 40,400 such families in the Republic and the number is expected to increase to 103,000 by 2036. On average, 5% of people over 65 (rising to 20% of over-80s) are affected by the disease and 10% of all cases are early-onset dementia (that is, diagnosed in under-65). The most common early signs of Alzheimer's disease are:
The Donegal Branch was formed in 1993 by local carers of people living with Alzheimer’s.
The Branch’s voluntary committee operates a Home Care scheme that provides 75,000 hours of respite care per year to assist those who care for people living with Alzheimer to continue to care for their loved ones in their homes. Day care at the Community Centre in Gweedore two days per week and one-day in Glenties is also provided. Over 40 families are helped through a FÁS-funded Community Employment scheme. The almost 200 families helped by these services represent less than 10% of the effected families in Donegal – the number of effected families will double by 2026 and reach 5,000 by 2036.
About 60% of the Branch’s services are funded by the HSE and a further 5% from grants from the National Lottery, local development companies and similar bodies. That leaves the Branch with a fund-raising target of at least €200,000 per year to maintain current services. The Branch’s work is as a voluntary supplement to the State-run services in Community Hospitals and Ard Aobhinn [Carndonagh]. Local members of the Branch were very active in lobbying for the establishment of a dementia-specific unit in Carndonagh.
The Branch organises some annual events itself - Church Gate Collection in February, Tea Day in May and a Street Collection/ Flag Day in July – and usually has one major fund-raising event that is different each year. The Branch relies on the initiative of our supporters to organise events themselves because they want to 'remember those who cannot remember' and know that all monies raised in Donegal are spent in Donegal. Over 50% of all funds raised are from such events organised by individuals or community groups – dances, table quizzes, sponsored walks, Women's Mini-Marathons and carol concerts.
If you would like more information contact the Donegal Branch 074 97 22795 (10:00 to 16:00 Mon –Fri). The Confidential National Helpline is 1800 341 341 10am-4pm Mon-Fri or check the website www.alzheimer.ie
Each week in Donegal, three new families are afflicted by Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Of the over 2,200 families currently affected by Alzheimer’s in Donegal about 450 are in Inishowen, with about 40 of those families receiving help from the Donegal Branch of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland [ASI].
ASI is Ireland's leading charity providing services and respite care for those affected (and their carers) by Alzheimer's disease (the most common type) and related dementias. There are now over 40,400 such families in the Republic and the number is expected to increase to 103,000 by 2036. On average, 5% of people over 65 (rising to 20% of over-80s) are affected by the disease and 10% of all cases are early-onset dementia (that is, diagnosed in under-65). The most common early signs of Alzheimer's disease are:
- Memory loss, particularly for recent events
- Problems with language, difficulty finding the right word
- Changes in mood and behaviour
- Becoming confused in familiar surroundings or situations
- Difficulty in following conversations, tv programmes or reading
- Difficulty managing money and everyday tasks
- Difficulty solving problems or doing puzzles
- Loss of interest in hobbies and interest, appear withdrawn
- Repeating a question or story several times without realising
The Donegal Branch was formed in 1993 by local carers of people living with Alzheimer’s.
The Branch’s voluntary committee operates a Home Care scheme that provides 75,000 hours of respite care per year to assist those who care for people living with Alzheimer to continue to care for their loved ones in their homes. Day care at the Community Centre in Gweedore two days per week and one-day in Glenties is also provided. Over 40 families are helped through a FÁS-funded Community Employment scheme. The almost 200 families helped by these services represent less than 10% of the effected families in Donegal – the number of effected families will double by 2026 and reach 5,000 by 2036.
About 60% of the Branch’s services are funded by the HSE and a further 5% from grants from the National Lottery, local development companies and similar bodies. That leaves the Branch with a fund-raising target of at least €200,000 per year to maintain current services. The Branch’s work is as a voluntary supplement to the State-run services in Community Hospitals and Ard Aobhinn [Carndonagh]. Local members of the Branch were very active in lobbying for the establishment of a dementia-specific unit in Carndonagh.
The Branch organises some annual events itself - Church Gate Collection in February, Tea Day in May and a Street Collection/ Flag Day in July – and usually has one major fund-raising event that is different each year. The Branch relies on the initiative of our supporters to organise events themselves because they want to 'remember those who cannot remember' and know that all monies raised in Donegal are spent in Donegal. Over 50% of all funds raised are from such events organised by individuals or community groups – dances, table quizzes, sponsored walks, Women's Mini-Marathons and carol concerts.
If you would like more information contact the Donegal Branch 074 97 22795 (10:00 to 16:00 Mon –Fri). The Confidential National Helpline is 1800 341 341 10am-4pm Mon-Fri or check the website www.alzheimer.ie