James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate my colleagues on this motion, which is a significant step forward in raising awareness of this disease among people, in particular among those who may not be touched by it, so that they can be informed of the situation. It is important that we make a big deal out of this. Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, such as frontotemporal, vascular, mixed, Lewy Body and so on, will eventually touch everyone, particularly as our society grows older.

In some ways we are probably in the calm before the storm, and as our population ages and our life expectancy increases, we will experience more issues related to dementia. We can predict their demographic growth and within reason we can predict the general growth of these dementia-related diseases. This motion is timely in bringing attention to the issue so the HSE can start preparing for the inevitable increase in dementia-related illness in this country. I hope we are not without hope, however, and I know that with the increasing mind mapping that is ongoing, there may eventually be a breakthrough in this area.

Those currently suffering from dementia are going through a quiet crisis whose impact is colossal but often barely acknowledged. We know that in families with a member suffering from dementia, it steals lives and breaks hearts. Every day throughout Ireland, families go through a kind of slow and aching pain. It is a disease that slowly robs people of their freedom of personality but it is important they are not deprived of their dignity. That is why we need supports for families and individuals. Even as a person's memories slowly leave, his or her character and personality will remain. It is very important these people and their families are given the necessary supports. There are more than 55,000 people living with dementia in this country, with 165,000 people directly affected and even more people indirectly affected. We know from the mentioned statistics that the incidence of these illnesses will double in the next 20 years and treble in 35 years. They are also a significant cause of death.

In my time today I will highlight a very narrow and particular type of issue, early onset dementia. I am not even talking about traditional early onset dementia, which might affect those aged between 55 and 65, but rather the type affecting young parents. It might be quite rare but it exists and has a devastating effect on people's families. If a young parent suffers from this type of dementia, the husband or wife will have to watch him or her go through dementia when they are in their 20s, 30s or 40s. If the children are young, the spouse taking care of the affected husband or wife must explain to the children what is happening to their mother or father, while also having to maintain employment so the mortgage will be paid. It is a particular sense of suffering and agony that those families must go through. In those circumstances, very often the sufferer's parents are alive as well and they must watch their child, a young parent, go through dementia.

This can cause all sorts of tensions. In particular, a caring partner may find it very difficult to get access to the support he or she needs. The sufferer would not be over 65 so he or she would not meet the relevant support criteria. Almost anywhere they go, the people will be told they do not fit into this or that box. They might work or have a half-decent income, so they may not be entitled to any support. These people are not old enough for old-age care. The fair deal scheme might be suitable for an older person not taking care of children or having to pay a mortgage but for a husband or wife in their 30s or 40s trying to pay a mortgage, it is not suitable.

Very often, when dementia becomes very serious, the only option is to bring a husband or wife to the accident and emergency department and leave him or her there. That is a horrendous position. I am certainly not taking the Minister of State to task about this, but I am trying to highlight the issue, as it is something that could probably be resolved with just a little bit of thought and application. Some tweaks are just needed here and there and it is not something that needs to be costly. It is just about making a few exceptions when somebody is a young mother or father. They would be under 65 and have a child, with a mortgage to be paid and a job to be kept. I ask the Minister to look at this issue and provide supports for husbands or wives in such a position. This concerns a tiny subset of people but it has a devastating effect when a husband or wife has to watch a partner lose memories and the ability to look after themselves or a child. They have to explain this and deal with the mental impact on children. It also affects a sufferer's parents and extended family. It is an extremely serious issue that has a debilitating effect on families.

I give great praise to all the families and support groups which deal with dementia sufferers. They are soldiers in dealing with these issues but I just wanted to highlight this narrow matter.

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