Seanad debates

Tuesday, 28 June 2016

Commencement Matters

Home Care Packages Provision

2:30 pm

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Kelleher for raising this matter and I congratulate her on the work she has done to date. I am aware that she continues to work specifically in this area. As with the other part of my portfolio, mental health, everybody knows somebody who has been affected by dementia, be it a neighbour or friend, and the numbers affected will continue to increase. Also similar to mental health, there is still a stigma surrounding dementia and the lack of information among the public makes it more difficult to tackle that stigma. It is an issue we must work on and I intend to do that.

As the Senator correctly pointed out, it is estimated that there are 55,000 people living with dementia in Ireland today. By 2041, we expect this to increase to more than 140,000 people. Living with dementia presents challenges for those with the condition, their families and their carers. The majority of people with dementia live at home and this requires proper supports and interventions to be put in place. Earlier diagnosis allows for better planning and management of the condition and is in the best interests of those with dementia and their families. It is important that there is clarity about the options that are available, so families and carers can make good choices in an informed way. As both the Senator and I mentioned, there is often a stigma associated with this condition which is largely based on stereotyping and, as a community, we must tackle this.

In December 2014, the Irish national dementia strategy was published with the objective of increasing awareness, ensuring timely diagnosis and intervention and developing enhanced community-based services for people with dementia. The main aim of the strategy is to enable people with dementia to live well in their own homes and communities for as long as possible and it sets out ways of achieving this. People live longer, healthier and happier lives when they are in their homes, regardless of whether they have dementia. Resources should be directed to provide the best possible outcome for those with dementia, their families and carers. The strategy is accompanied by a resourced national dementia strategy implementation programme which is co-funded by the Health Service Executive and Atlantic Philanthropies. This programme represents a combined investment of €27.5 million over the period 2014-17, with Atlantic Philanthropies contributing €12 million and the HSE contributing €15.5 million. Key elements of this initiative include: €22.1 million for the roll-out of a programme of intensive home supports and home care packages for people with dementia; €1.2 million for the provision of additional dementia-specific resources for general practitioners, who are the critical and initial point of contact with the health system for those with dementia - the resource material will include training materials and guidance on local services and contact points; €2.7 million for measures to raise public awareness, address stigma, and promote the inclusion and involvement in society of those with dementia; and €1.5 million for the establishment of a HSE national dementia office.

A significant element of this investment programme will focus on the delivery of intensive home care packages for people with dementia, with up to 500 people with dementia and their families expected to benefit from these packages over the lifetime of the implementation programme, which will extend over a three year period from 2015 to 2018.

The roll-out of intensive home care packages commenced in January 2015 and monitoring of the allocation and uptake of these packages is ongoing, as the Senator rightly said, with only 133 persons benefiting to date. At present, there are 85 people with dementia in receipt of an intensive home care package, and perhaps I could revert to the Senator specifically on the speed of the uptake and how that is progressing.

In addition to the intensive packages the Health Service Executive, HSE, will continue to provide mainstream home help, routine home care packages and other appropriate community based supports, such as day care, respite, etc., to people with dementia whose needs have been assessed as requiring these supports and within available resources.

I am examining the question of putting this issue on a statutory footing and I would welcome the opportunity to discuss that with the Senator. I am aware that Members of this and the other House will meet with the organisation this week so we will hear more following that meeting. There is still much work to be done, and the focus of our funding needs to change in terms of where it is going. We must make sure it goes to the right place, that is, to keep people in their homes. I look forward to working with the Senator on this issue and I would welcome the opportunity to meet with her.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.