Budget 2025 funding urged for dementia-specific day care services in Athlone
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) is calling on the Government to maintain moment in funding dementia support and services in Budget 2025 by funding much-needed dementia-specific Day Care Services in Athlone.
The need has been identified for a new day care centre in the town - but this is pending funding being allocated from the Government in Budget 2025 on October 1.
Currently, the only day care centre in Westmeath is in Multyfarnham. Roscommon has two centres, one in Ballinasloe and one in Castlerea.
In June, The ASI called on the Government to invest €5.5 million in dementia supports and services to address inequity of access across the country.
The organisation is seeking an increase in funding for Dementia Specific Day Care at Home Services by €1,000,000 in Budget 2025 to expand the reach of the services across all areas across the country.
In addition, the ASI is calling on the Government to invest €600,000 in the expansion of Day Centres outside major cities.
The ASI’s Day Centres provide dementia-specific, person-centred care to meet the needs of the person with dementia in a warm, welcoming, safe environment while providing support and cognitive stimulation. The centres offer the opportunity to interact and socialise with others, fun and entertainment and give much-needed respite to family carers.
Further investment in dementia-specific Day Centres is essential to support people with dementia, at different stages of their journey, to remain at home in their communities and to provide respite to family carers.
There are currently 53 Day Centres in operation across Ireland. In 2023 he ASI had just over 63,000 attendances, which equates to 1,939 people.
The ASI’s Head of Operations and Community Engagement, Siobhán O’Connor said: “There has been enhanced investment in dementia supports from the Government over the last number of years – however, there is a need to keep pace with demand.
“The ASI is asking the Government to build on the momentum of the last few years with increased funding for Day Care services and Day Care at Home to support, reach and help as many people impacted by dementia in our communities as possible.
“Further Government investment will enable The ASI to expand Day Care services, providing much-needed support, to people affected by dementia. An independent evaluation of the role and contribution of dementia-specific day centres states the service is highly valued by people with dementia and their families.
“There are a range of benefits including the opportunity to socialise, develop friendships, partake in physical activity, retain abilities and skills, enjoy a nutritious meal with others, and respite for family carers.”
The ASI’s Head of Advocacy, Research and Public Affairs, Cormac Cahill said: “In Ireland, 63% of people with dementia live at home in their communities and as the prevalence of dementia in Ireland continues to rise, the gap between services and need widens.
"There is not equitable access to dementia services and supports across Ireland and there is a pressing need to address this in Budget 2025.
“We appreciate the support from this Government, particularly Minister Mary Butler and her continued understanding and funding of much-needed dementia services and the support of the All-Party Oireachtas Group on Dementia. This support has led to considerable improvement in the level of dementia supports in Ireland.
“However, given the rising need and the immense challenges faced by people impacted by dementia, extra funding in Budget 2025 is required to build on the investment in recent years and help to address these challenges.”
The ASI’s Submission Equal Dementia Supports, Building on Momentum in 2025 can be downloaded from Alzheimer.ie, and the campaign can be supported online at #EqualDementiaSupports #Budget2025.