Conference
Ali Bracken
Stigma surrounding dementia and the lack of input into research from people with the disease emerged as two major problem areas at this year's Alzheimer Europe Conference, held last weekend in the Great Southern Hotel in Killarney.
"So many people in Ireland and the rest of Europe have undiagnosed dementia and are isolated from society. We have got to blow the myth that dementia is an old-age disease. The problem is stigma and fear," said Maurice O'Connell, chief executive officer of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and chairman of Alzheimer Europe. Four hundred delegates from more than 30 countries attended the conference.
Speaking about promoting a humanist approach in dementia, Prof Murna Downs, chairwoman in Dementia Studies at Bradford University, said dementia was not all about suffering. "We need a more dementia-friendly environment and not to hide people away who aren't cognitively perfect." She said this year's event was a "landmark conference" and involving those with dementia in the discussions was particularly positive.
Prof Downs did express surprise, however, that the Minister for Health Mary Harney did not attend the conference and said it was unusual that none of the host country's government politicians were present. Representing the minister was David Wolfe from the Department of Health.
An Irish man in his 60s living with Alzheimer's disease explained at the conference how he became increasingly forgetful before being diagnosed with early onset dementia. "The medication will stop working, but that's life... I am focusing on having a good life for as long as I can."
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland estimates that 34,000 people in Ireland have Alzheimer's disease or related dementias and this figure will rise to 60,000 by 2026. One per cent of those with dementia are under the age of 65 and this figure has been steadily increasing, according to Mr O'Connell. "We are calling on the Government to fund the caring needs of those under 65 as there is no special budget for this group and the Health Service Executive only provides funding for older people with dementia."
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland initiated a project in Dublin 18 months ago that brings together a small support group of people with dementia each month. Mr O'Connell wants to roll out this self-advocacy programme nationwide and said the Government should fund this pro-active initiative. The society is also in the planning stages of developing Ireland's first assisted living centre for people with dementia in Co Sligo.
To contact Alzheimer Society of Ireland, tel: 1800 341 341 or visit www.alzheimer.ie