‘Burnout risk’ for Alzheimer’s carers

FAMILY carers for people with Alzheimer’s are in danger of burning out as the waiting list for a home care service has peaked at 1,000 people since last year, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland has warned.

The society said that any further cuts to services in the coming budget will see some of the 44,000 people living with dementia and their 50,000 carers left without even basic support through community services.

The charity worked with health economist Dominic Trepel of University of Limerick who presented a report at its budget submission launch yesterday, outlining the economic case for urgent investment in dementia services in Ireland.