This article is from page 35 of the 2007-10-30 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 35 JPG
THE countdown is on for the sixth annual Burren Sponsored Walk, which takes place in Fanore on Sun- day, January 6, 2008. Proceeds from the annual walk, which begins and ends in O’Donoghue’s Pub, go the Clare Branch of the Alzheimer’s As- sociation, who provide home care and home support for the families of Alzheimer’s sufferers in the Clare ussca (eye
‘We send in carers to help the fam- ily to deal with their loved one. It al- lows the family to get out to work, it allows them to get on with their own life without having to worry about
the person at home. A lot of people cannot afford to stay at home in this day and age,’ said Marissa Butler McCarthy of the Clare Alzheimer’s Association. We also have a daycare centre in Ennis. It’s small at the mo- ment but we would be hoping to ex- pand that in the future as well.
‘Alzheimer’s can be a great deal of work for the family of the sufferer. We provide support groups for fami- lies in Ennis, Kilrush and Ennisty- mon, where people come together and talk about what it is like to care for someone with dementia.
“It’s great for the families of peo- ple who have been newly diagnosed to come and talk to people who have
already been through it. They can get advice about entitlements and money as well, which is very useful.”
More than 980 people suffer from Alzheimer’s in Clare at present. The Alzheimer’s Society helps the fami- lies of sufferers by providing home care through a mixture of FAS- employed home helpers and others employed directly by the society.
“The walk is our main fundraiser. It brings a lot of money for us and it is a very enjoyable day as well. All the money raised from the walk goes towards subsidising the in-house car- ers,’ added Ms Butler McCarthy.
“It’s a great day, there is a great atmosphere and great craic. We have
music and food and a raffle with great prizes. The Radisson usually gives us a weekend away for our top prize. We get a group of people who come back each year.”
To get involved in the Annual Burren Walk or to learn more about Alzheimer’s, simple contact the Clare Branch of the Alzheimer’s society of Ireland on 065-6868621 or call into the office on the Clon Road Business Park in Ennis.