Government sets out plan to tackle growing dementia problem

ABOUT 4,000 cases of dementia are identified every year in Ireland but many people with the condition have never been diagnosed, a report reveals.

It says early diagnosis, and sometimes any diagnosis, is the exception rather than the rule and suggests that without the necessary community support, people with dementia could continue to be placed in long-term care prematurely.

The report lays the foundation for a national strategy promised by the Government. It warns the incidence of the disease is higher than cancer and heart disease.

More than 41,700 people in Ireland have dementia, with the number expected to reach 147,000 by 2041.

The report points out that most of the 26,000 people living at home probably do not have a formal diagnosis.

The report, funded by Atlantic Philanthropies, was launched yesterday by Health Minister James Reilly at Trinity College Dublin.

Principal research investigator Professor Suzanne Cahill said dementia remained largely invisible in Ireland, continuing to be a hugely under-funded and under-prioritised health issue.

The report notes that 48% of the overall cost of dementia, estimated at €1.69 billion per year, is met by relatives and friends.

A further 43% of the cost relates to residential long-stay care while other formal and social care services contribute only 9% to the total cost.

The report states that diagnosis is rare and GPs have difficulty diagnosing the illness and would welcome more training and resources.

According to the report, an estimated 50,000 family carers in Ireland are caring for someone with at least one of six specified symptoms of dementia.

The report also suggests about two thirds of all long-stay residents in the country have dementia with many of those not having a formal diagnosis.

It says there are few alternatives to the nursing home model of care in Ireland and, while some facilities have dementia specific beds, these are also the exception.

The report stresses the need for greater emphasis on primary prevention and on ways of avoiding or delaying the illness, through reducing heart disease and stroke.

Report co-author Prof Eamon O’Shea said that the next stage in the development of a national strategy would require direct consultation with people with dementia, members of their family and interested parties.

Dr Reilly said the strategy for the care of people with dementia would be introduced next year and implemented over five years. He said the strategy would increase awareness, ensure early diagnosis and intervention and enhance services for people with the condition.

“We have got to get earlier diagnosis; we have got to have better training and education in dementia for primary care workers, hospital staff and people working in long-stay settings,” he said.

“The burden care on the state, if we don’t address this issue, is going to be huge.”