Dementia: The Forgotten Crisis

We have welcomed the Government’s decision to invest €13 million in dementia community supports in Budget 2021 as a welcome step in dealing with the sharp deterioration in health of both people dementia and their family carers caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The ASI particularly welcomes the €5 million investment for community dementia supports, 250,000 hours of dementia appropriate home care; and four new Regional Memory Clinics in Waterford, Wexford, Sligo and Mayo providing assessment and support services for those with dementia.

The ASI’s Pre-Budget Submission 2021, Dementia: The Forgotten Crisis outlined the detrimental impact of COVID-19 on people affected by dementia and the continued absence of vital services and the growing gap between need and delivery which is now more critical than ever.

Investment in Dementia – Highlights Budget 2021:

• 5 million hours of home care announced (minimum 5% ring-fenced for people living with dementia which equates to 250,000 hours)
• Expansion of in-home day care service provided by The ASI
• Expansion of the Memory Technology Resource Room Network
  4 new memory assessment and support services in Sligo, Mayo, Waterford and Wexford
• Recruitment of 11 Dementia Advisors in 2021 (30 Dementia Advisers in place by end of 2021)
• Education for staff in the acute hospitals about dementia and delirium care
• Implementation of the National Clinical Guideline on Appropriate Prescribing of Psychotropic Medication for non-cognitive symptoms in people with dementia
• Dementia: Understand Together in Communities funding for the recruitment of a National Coordinator and a Programme Support Officer
• Carers Support Grant increased by €150 up to €1850
• Increase in the dependent relative tax credit from €70 – €245 for family carers

Read our full press release HERE

COVID-19 is having a detrimental impact on people affected by dementia. The service gap is growing wider as the need becomes ever greater.

It is critical that Budget 2021 starts to close this widening service gap.

In Pre-Budget Submission 2021 we are calling on the Government to invest €20m in urgent infrastructure, home care and community supports for people affected by dementia

We are calling on the Government to invest:

• Read our Summary Pre-Budget Submission HERE
• Read our Full Pre-Budget 2021 Submission HERE

Over 60 people (30 TDs and Senators) attended our Virtual Launch – Live Webinar: ‘Dementia: The Forgotten Crisis’ on Friday, September 25th to find out more about the crisis that people affected by dementia are currently facing.

Speakers included:

– MC Kevin Quaid, Person living with Lewy Body Dementia and member of the Irish Dementia Working Group
– Eugene McCague, Board Member The Alzheimer Society of Ireland
– Pat McLoughlin, CEO The Alzheimer Society of Ireland
– Denise Monahan, Family Carer and member of the Dementia Carers Campaign Network
– Prof Suzanne Cahill, Trinity College Dublin & Honorary Professor in Dementia National University of Ireland, Galway

Watch the full webinar launch HERE

Audio Clips of Carer Denise Monahan from the launch

1. We have been forgotten about
2. 6,500 families with nothing
3. Denise Monahan – Full interview

The ASI has the body of evidence to prove that people living with dementia and their families are still dealing with inadequate services and supports.  In 2018 a mapping project carried out by ASI and National Dementia Office (NDO) shows that not only does access to community dementia-specific services vary depending on where you live, but no county has even a minimum level of dementia support.

View dementia figures in your county

You can find our previous Pre-Budget Submissions below:

• Pre-Budget Submission 2020
• Pre-Budget Submission 2019
• Pre-Budget Submission 2018
• Pre-Budget Submission 2017
• Pre-Budget Submission 2016