Ms Clare Duffy:

Of course there is the emotional side of it and a lot of our time is spent supporting carers around that but we also spend an awful lot of time supporting families with practical stuff because at some stage, that practical stuff has to kick in. A lot of our time is spent fighting for better supports and rights for carers and on things like the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act, which supports carers who are working and juggling caring with work. A lot of our time at the moment is being spent on the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act, which was commenced less than a year ago and which has brought with it a raft of complexity. Of course we endorse the principles of the Act but it has made life very difficult and confusing for the families of people with dementia. It potentially adds a layer of complexity for people with dementia and their families where they need residential or nursing home care, particularly if they are taking out the fair deal loan. It adds to the complexity of that because they have to go to the Circuit Court. Of course we support families emotionally but practical support is so important as well. We try to make life better for them from a practical point of view.