DEMENTIA ADVISERS NOW IN
every county
T
Vital service for thousands of patients and their families
he expansion of the dementia adviser service ensures dementia advisers are in place across the country providing a vital service for thousands of people living with dementia and their family carers. A dementia adviser is a point of contact for people who are concerned about their cognitive health or who have a diagnosis of dementia. Dementia advisers enable people to take control of their own lives by providing support, practical assistance, advice and information, and signposting people with dementia and their carers to appropriate services and supports. Funding was secured in this year’s budget for 11 new dementia advisers, bringing the total number of advisers to 29 nationally. Janette Dwyer, Assistant National Director, HSE Services for Older Person’s and Dementia Care, Change and Innovation, said, “The HSE is committed to the delivery and enhancement of Dementia Services and the National Dementia Advisory Services. A key part of our success to date has been the ongoing collaboration with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and other important stakeholders across the country. This has ensured the development and promotion of an emerging care pathway for people living with dementia.
“The dementia adviser undertakes a key role in providing locally based individualised information and support to people diagnosed with dementia and their carers/supporters, at all stages of their journey, from diagnosis through to end-of-life care. The services provide a first point of contact to people in respect of available local services with referral from a diagnosing clinician.” The Alzheimer Society of Ireland CEO Pat McLoughlin said, “Dementia advisers offer a lifeline to people in their communities. It’s great to reach the point where everyone in Ireland who wants or needs access to this key community service can do so – no matter what part of the country they live. Each and every day, the dementia adviser team demonstrate the value and impact of the service and the evaluation of the service has provided a strong evidence base for its expansion.” An event announcing the expansion of the service featured contributions from Dementia Adviser Vanessa Bradbury in conversation with dementia advocate Kathleen Quinlan from the Irish Dementia Working Group; Regina Lafferty, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Mental Health Services; and Dementia Advisers Joanne Brennan and Maeve Montgomery, Amy Murphy and Sean Donal O’Shea. The HSE continues to partner with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland to deliver this vital service across 25 counties and with Western Alzheimers who deliver a DA service in Mayo. The National Dementia Office is working with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland to support and enhance further integration of the Dementia Adviser Service within existing HSE and Community, providing a seamless pathway of care. The 25 posts have been recruited by Alzheimer Society of Ireland funded through a Service Level Agreement with the HSE. A joint HSE and Alzheimer Society of Ireland Oversight Governance Group has been established. Videos from the launch are available on www.dementiapathways.ie
“Dementia Advisers offer a lifeline to people in their communities. It’s great to reach the point where everyone in Ireland who wants or needs access to this key community service can do so – no matter what part of the country they live" 50 | HEALTH MATTERS SPRING 2022
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16/03/2022 13:08
