Alzheimer’s patients urgently need standalone units for proper care

There is an urgent need for the Ministers for Finance and Health to fund, plan and build stand-alone units for those unfortunate to succumb to the grim reality of Alzheimer’s Disease and stroke dementia.

Most nursing homes do not want to get involved with this type of patient due to the intense demand on expert nursing care, as well as structural considerations.

The cost is also beyond the pockets of many in these nursing homes.

Many of our general hospitals are not bed-locked with the heaviest of nursing cases; end-stage Alzheimer’s and stroke cases.

The issue of a high dependency care and the lack of facilities, whether in the public or private sector, is a matter that calls for immediate attention. The State has sponsored or contracted beds in a number of nursing homes, but the milder cases have been cherry-picked still leaving the high dependency cases in hospital.

The situation will worsen as our population gets older.

Co-ordinated ministerial action is needed urgently to prevent what’s becoming a crisis later. I appeal to the new government to take note and deliver accordingly.

They too may need a bed one day.

Cllr Noel Collins

St Judes

Midleton

Co Cork