Letters to the Editor: Election candidates must address the silent crisis of dementia

Alzheimer Society of Ireland chief executive Andy Heffernan writes that '500,000 Irish people whose families have been affected by dementia are left out of the conversation'

Alzheimer Society of Ireland CEO Andy Heffernan launching its pre-general election campaign. Picture: Karen Morgan

As the CEO of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, an organisation that supports thousands of families across Ireland, I am deeply disheartened by the glaring omission of dementia and older peoples’ issues from the national discourse in this general election.

While housing, childcare, and other pressing issues dominate headlines and political platforms, 500,000 Irish people whose families have been affected by dementia are left out of the conversation.