Broadcaster Pat Kenny will today launch the 15th annual Tea Day to raise funds for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
The society said 44,000 people in Ireland have dementia, two-thirds of whom have Alzheimer’s.
It warned that demand for services is increasing, with over 100,000 people predicted to be suffering from dementia by 2036.
The Alzheimer Society provides almost 700,000 hours of care and support per year through a network of more than 100 dementia-specific services.
It called on the Government to maintain funding for its services, which it said were “already at breaking point”. At present, the Health Service Executive provides 70 per cent of its annual budget, with the society having to make up the shortfall of €4 million through fundraising drives.
“Many of our services are reaching breaking point. They are operating at full capacity, have growing waiting lists and are unable to meet the needs of new families coming to us in crisis,” said the society’s chief executive Maurice O’Connell.
“Vulnerable carers are crying out for support so that they can continue to care at home, often for more than 14 hours per day. The Alzheimer Society is appealing to Government to remember these courageous people in the final deliberations of the upcoming supplementary budget. We must not fail them.”
Alzheimer’s Tea Day will be held on May 7th.