This article is from page 24 of the 2011-04-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 24 JPG
THE number of Clare people suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia is set to double over the next two decades, unless a major medical breakthrough is made in the treatment or prevention of the conditions.
At present, more than 1,400 people in the county suffer from dementia, with hundreds receiving regular assistance from the Clare branch of Alzheimer Ireland.
However, as a result of increasing numbers and diminishing funding, maintaining the high level of support is becoming increasingly difficult.
“The fundraising is massively important to the organisation; we couldn’t survive without it. The HSE are very good to us but there are cutbacks in every area now and it is more and more important that we are able to get funding from other sources,” said Ann Bedder of the Clare branch of Alzheimer Ireland.
“There are a lot of good causes out there. We realise that times are tough for everyone but people are still being very generous.”
The organisation is calling on Clare people to support their national tea day which takes place on Thursday, May 5.
“This is our main fundraiser nationally throughout the year. We ask people to hold tea parties in their own home and their friends and people from the locality come into their house for tea and give a donation,” explained Marissa Butler, chairper- son of the Clare branch of Alzheimer Ireland.
“A tea morning will also take place in St Anthony’s Hall beside the Friary in Ennis on April 30. We will have tea and pastries and face painting for children – it is always a great day.”
The local branch of the Alzheimer Society provides a drop-in centre, day care, a home care service, a support network for the care-givers and an information point for anyone who needs it in Clare.
“We receive around 60 per cent of our overall funding from the HSE so the rest of the work undertaken by the group is dependent on charitable donations,” said Kay Flynn, vice chairperson of the society.
“There is still time for anyone who wants to get involved to put on a tea day themselves or come along to one of the events already organised. All the money raised in Clare stays within the organisation in Clare.”
The Alzheimer’s National Tea Day 2011 takes place across Clare on May 5 with a special tea day event taking place from 10am to 4pm in St Anthony’s Hall in Ennis on April 30. A 10k run will take place in Broad ford on Easter Monday from 2pm.
For more information, contact 065 6868621.