JUNE 2007

Alzheimer's Society needs volunteers

The Alzheimer's Society is appealing for volunteers to come forward, as there is a shortage of carers, and with hundreds of sufferers across the Inishowen peninsula needing urgent help, the charity is looking for much needed assistance and fast.

The group is looking to form a panel of carers across Inishowen and set up a training programme to enable them to become professional carers. The training will include teaching skills on how to tackle behavioral difficulties and how to look after a patient with special needs brought on by their illness. Co-ordinator Julie Munday said "Sometimes an Alzheimer's sufferer can be unpredictable, so it is important that carers are given the correct skills to prepare them for every single situation. It is a hands-on service. A carer needs to be a natural in a one-to-one situation, but most importantly to have the skill of patience."

There are around 1,600 Alzheimer's sufferers across Donegal and the group alone cannot cater unaided for all of these. In some cases, families take over the care, but when this is not an option, voluntary carers are needed. Julie said: "As a charity, we can't meet the needs of all of those needing assistance. We are currently providing care to 155 - that is the tip of the iceberg."

Worryingly, if the group is caring for more than 100 - that means there is a black hole figure of hundreds who are not being offered assistance.

It is hoped, families are currently filling this gap, but it is vital that this is not the only option - as it is not always possible for relatives to provide full-time care and even if they are able to - carers may even be needed to offer family members respite.

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