Alzheimers Society Co.

Waterford Services
19/02/2008 6:05 pm Please find below the contact details for the various services available in Count !aterford: Waterford Day Centre Pin"rove# Passa"e $oad# !aterford Cit # Co !aterford Service Manager: Eilis Cantwell Phone: 051 % 856 8&1 Waterford Day Centre Pin"rove# Passa"e $oad# !aterford Cit # Co !aterford Nurse: Maura !Dea Phone: 051 % 856 8&1 Waterford Su""ort #rou" Pine"rove# Passa"e $oad# !aterford Cit # Co !aterford Contact: Eilis Cantwell Phone: 051 % 856 8&1 Waterford $ome Su""ort Service Pine"rove# Passa"e $oad# !aterford Cit # Co !aterford Contact: David Power Phone: 051 % 850 '91 Waterford %ranch ffice (he Chairperson C/) !aterford *a Care Centre Passa"e $oad# !aterford Cit # Co+ !aterford Social Clu& ,nfortunatel (he -ociet does not operate a -ocial Club in !aterford at this time+ Please see our other services or contact our .ational /elpline at 1800 &'1 &'1 to discuss wa s we can be of help+

$ome Care Service

'he $ome Care Services can &e of &enefit to the "erson with dementia at any stage of the disease. (t is a fle)i&le* "ersonalised service which reflects a "erson centred a""roach to care as all activities are &ased on the client!s and carer!s needs* interests and wishes. (he focus of the service is to support the person with dementia in en"a"in" in activities at home and enablin" the person to remain in their communit as lon" as is possible while simultaneousl protectin" his or her ri"hts+ (he service also offers the main carer or famil member a brea0 and access to information and support+ (he home care service assi"ns a trained dementia care wor0er to provide support and care in a person1s residence for a desi"nated number of hours per wee0+ (he care wor0er will support the person with dementia in en"a"in" in activities and personal care which the ma be no lon"er able to do on their own+ $ow to Access the Service: Call the /ome Care Coordinator operatin" the /ome Care service nearest to ou+ 2efore a care wor0er "oes into the home# the needs of the person with dementia and their famil are carefull assessed b the /ome Care Coordinator who meets with the famil to determine how best the service can help+ (his assessment involves the completion of a referral form where a doctor or consultant confirms a dia"nosis of dementia# such as 3l4heimer1s disease# has been made and the development of a care plan for the person which is based on their preferences and needs+

Day Care Centres

ur "rofessional care wor+ers offer a dementia,s"ecific day care service in a warm* welcoming environment giving true s"ecialist care to "eo"le with dementia. (he -ociet provides specialist da care to people with dementia throu"hout 5reland+ (he focus of the centre is the provision of care in an environment where people with dementia feel comfortable and are stimulated and where we wor0 to meet their individual needs as far as possible+ 3n important feature of the service is that it provides activities outside the home# "ivin" stimulation and care to the person and a brea0 for the primar carer+ *ependin" on their wishes and abilities# we offer the person with dementia a wide ran"e of activities at our da care centres includin" reminiscence therap # music sessions# "entle e6ercises# arts and crafts and personal care+ (he da includes a hot lunch and man of our centres provide transport to and from the service+

$ow to access the Service: Contact the da care centre nearest to ou to discuss our needs+ 5n each case a referral form will be made available and this mar0s the be"innin" of an assessment process to determine if the service meets the needs of the person with dementia+ (he referral form re7uires confirmation from a 8P or consultant that a dia"nosis of a form of dementia# such as 3l4heimer1s disease# has been made+

Su""ort #rou"s
'here are many Carer - .amily Su""ort #rou"s meeting throughout the country. (his networ0 of carers supportin" carers provides a vital opportunit to discuss situations and share e6periences in a safe and open environment+ -upport 8roup meetin"s also offer a wa to access information and practical support# some "roups will or"anise spea0ers to meet with the "roup to discuss particular issues or topics+ Carer -upport 8roups operate on a local level and usuall meet on a monthl basis+ (he meetin"s are "enerall informal# ou can drop in as often as suits ou+ (o find out where and when our local "roup meets 9ust call the coordinator of the "roup nearest to ou+

/es"ite Centre
(he specialist overni"ht respite service is offers stimulation and activit to the person with dementia in a safe# friendl environment and an invaluable brea0 to families and carers+ (he -ociet is currentl en"a"in" in the /ealth -ervice :6ecutive re"istration process for our new $espite Centre in 2lac0roc0 and the centre will be open in ;a 2009+ Please contact the -ervice ;ana"er# 2ernie /utchinson on 01 20<&8&6 with en7uiries+ (he centre provides overni"ht respite from ;onda mornin" to =rida afternoon >the cost per wee0 is ?250@ *urin" the da # residents have access to the 2lac0roc0 *a Care Centre+ $ow to Access the Service Contact the -ervices ;ana"er for the Centre: 2ernie /utchinson - (el: 01 2034546 (he )rchard $espite Centre (emple $oad 2lac0roc0# Co *ublin+

5n each case a referral form will be made available and this mar0s the be"innin" of an assessment process to determine if the service meets the needs of the person with dementia+ (he referral form re7uires confirmation from a 8P or consultant that a dia"nosis of a form of dementia# such as 3l4heimer1s disease# has been made+

Dementia /ights Advocacy Service

.ounded in 7anuary 2006* the service is aimed at anyone who has or may have dementia and who lives in North Du&lin* city and county.

(he aim of the service is to help people with dementia to effectivel voice their needs and wishes# access their entitlements and assert their ri"hts+ (he advocates 9ob is to be on the side of the person with dementia+ (he service is free# independent and confidential+ 5f ou are a person with dementia# a friend# famil member or carer of a person with dementia or a professional wor0in" with a person with dementia# our 3dvocac )fficer is happ to tal0 to ou about the service and assess if we ma be able to help+ 8lease contact: *ementia $i"hts 3dvocac -ervice ,nit 6# Cooloc0 *evelopment Centre 2unratt *rive Cooloc0# *ublin 1< 'el: 01 , 502 22 00

National $el"line Service

Call 1500 491 491 % :mail: hel"line:alzheimer.ie

5f ou are a person with dementia# carin" for some%one with dementia or are concerned about ourself or a loved one# wh not tal0 to someone who understands+ 5f ou are wor0in" with people with dementia or are a student and want to 0now more about our services and what we do in our area# ou can also call the /elpline+ (he .ational /elpline -ervice is a confidential# free phone service which provides information# support# "uidance and referrals to appropriate services and or"anisations+ Callers spea0 to a trained# dedicated helpline wor0er+ 'he hel"line o"erates from Monday to .riday* 10 am to 9 "m. Aou can call us outside these hours and leave our name# a contact number and a brief messa"e+ Please note the /elpline cannot respond to messa"es to call other people# we can onl respond to those who contact us directl + Calls are free from the $epublic of 5reland+ 5f callin" from outside the $epublic# please call our national office at 01 28' 6616 and as0 to spea0 to our /elpline -ervice+ -tandard telephone char"es appl + Aou can also email us with an 7ueries or re7uests and we will respond as soon as possible+ Please note that while we are happ to receive en7uiries from an where# we can onl provide information from the perspective of the $epublic of 5reland+ /elpline calls and emails are occasionall monitored for trainin" and evaluation purposes+ (nformation a&out Nursing $omes and residential Care (he 3l4heimer -ociet of 5reland 8uidelines on Choosin" a .ursin" /ome+ (his "uide provides practical hints and tips on choosin" a .ursin" /ome for a person with dementia# it also contains information about meetin" the cost of private nursin" homes and nursin" home subvention schemes+ 'he ;ife Story %oo+ Bife -tor 2oo0s are a well established and e6cellent method of communication with people with dementia and offer famil # friends a professionals a "reater insi"ht into the person# their life and histor + (he -ociet 1s !aterford -ervices ;ana"er in con9unction with the !aterford 2ranch and -outhern $e"ional )ffice have published a Bife -tor 2oo0 for people with dementia and their families+ (he publication offers space to collect

photo"raph1s and other memorabilia for the person with dementia to loo0 throu"h and reminisce with+ 5t covers areas such as home# school da s# wor0in" life and special memories+ Caregiver<s Diary (he diar helps to ensure a person%centred approach to care b providin" a practical resource to record a person1s personal details >date of birth# contact details etc@# their histor >famil members# past occupation# etc+@# li0es and disli0es >foods# music etc@ and routine+ (he aim of the diar is to provide a full and rounded picture of the person with dementia which can then be used b staff in an service the person with dementia ma avail of in the future# whether that be da care# home care or residential care+ (he diar is available free of char"e throu"h our /elpline service at 1800 &'1 &'1 or b emailin" helplineCal4heimer+ie The Society is most grateful to Shire Pharmaceuticals for supporting this publication. Stories of Caring (he 3l4heimer -ociet of 5reland1s 8alwa 2ranch produced a boo0 entitled -tories of Carin" which outlines the e6perience of some carers of people with dementia+ (his bilin"ual publication is available at a cost of ?8 % contact our 8alwa office at 091 561 556 to order our cop + )ther information and useful resources are aviailable in the $esources section+

What is Alzheimer<s disease

3l4heimer1s disease is the most common form of dementia# accountin" for 50%60D of all cases+ 5t is a pro"ressive neurolo"ical condition characterised b the build up of proteins in the brain called Epla7ues1 and Etan"les1+ (hese proteins "raduall dama"e and eventuall destro the nerve cells+ (his can ma0e it more and more difficult to remember# reason and use lan"ua"e+ (he loss of memor of recent events ma be one of the first difficulties noticed+ (he person ma also become disorientated# be at a loss for a word when spea0in" and have increasin" difficult with simple dail tas0s such as usin" the phone# ma0in" meals or mana"in" mone + (he ris0 of developin" 3l4heimer1s *isease increases with a"e with its prevalence risin" from appro6imatel 1D in people under 65 ears old to more than 25D for those over 80 ears+ 3lthou"h rare and more commonl associated with older a"e# 3l4heimer1s disease can also occur in people under 65+ (here is currentl no 0nown cause for 3l4heimer1s disease and there is no cure for the condition+

*ru"s have been developed that# in some cases# temporaril alleviate some of the s mptoms in the earl and middle sta"es+ (hese dru"s are 3ricept >donepe4il h drochloride@ :6elon >rivasti"mine@ and $emin l >"alantime@+ (here is also a dru" for the middle to late sta"es of the condition called :6iba >memantine@+ =or some people these dru"s ma stabilise some of the s mptoms for a limited period of time+ .one of these dru"s will cure the condition# althou"h research is continuin" into developin" treatments# dru"s and vaccines+

What is Dementia=
*ementia is an umbrella term used to describe various conditions which dama"e brain cells and lead to a loss of brain function over time+ *ementia is pro"ressive# which means the s mptoms will "et worse over time+ /ow 7uic0l dementia pro"resses depends entirel on the individual# each person will have their own# uni7ue e6perience with dementia+ *ementia is characterised b a "radual deterioration in memor and in the personFs abilit to carr out ever da activities# ma0e decisions# understand information and e6press themselves+ *ementia ma also affect a person1s mood and personalit + (here are man different t pes of dementia# 3l4heimer1s *isease and Gascular *ementia are the most common forms+ Bess common forms include Bew 2od *ementia# =rontotemporal *ementia >includin" Pic0Fs *isease@ and Hora0offFs *isease >alcohol related dementia@+ (here are over '0#000 people in 5reland livin" with a form of dementia toda + 3t present# it is not 0nown what causes the different t pes of dementia# medical research is on"oin" throu"hout the world to discover the cause and develop new treatments+

'he Early Signs and Sym"toms of Alzheimer<s Disease

3lthou"h the earl si"ns and s mptoms of 3l4heimer1s disease ma var from person to person# increasin" memor loss over time % sometimes characterised b the inabilit to remember names or recall recent events % is often the first noticeable s mptom+ (he most common si"ns and s mptoms of 3l4heimer1s disease are below+ ,suall a person will displa a number of these si"ns:

;emor loss# particularl for recent events *ifficult in performin" ever da tas0s

Chan"es in mood and behaviour Chan"es in personalit *isorientation in familiar surroundin"s Problems with lan"ua"e Poor or decreased 9ud"ement ;isplacin" thin"s re"ularl *ifficult solvin" problems or doin" pu44les Boss of interest in startin" pro9ects or doin" thin"s

'he Stages of Alzheimer<s disease

3l4heimer1s disease "enerall pro"resses throu"h three sta"es: mild# moderate and severe+ People e6perience the three sta"es at different rates# and there can be an overlap in s mptoms from one sta"e to another+ Stage 1: Mild Alzheimer<s Disease (he mild sta"e of 3l4heimer1s *isease can last from 2 to ' ears or lon"er+ (hose in this phase of the disease ma :

-a the same thin" over and over Bose interest in thin"s the once en9o ed /ave trouble findin" names for common items Bose thin"s more often than normal -eem to e6perience personalit chan"es /ave difficult "raspin" comple6 ideas

People with mild 3l4heimer1s *isease are usuall alert# sociable# and en9o life# but their for"etfulness interferes with dail livin" and ma frustrate them+ (his frustration ma lead them to feel overl emotional# irritable or apathetic+ Stage 2: Moderate Alzheimer<s Disease (he moderate sta"e of 3l4heimer1s *isease is often the lon"est# lastin" from 2 to 10 ears+ 5n this sta"e# a person ma :

8et lost easil # even in places the 0now well 2ecome more confused about recent events .eed assistance or supervision with tas0s such as dressin" or washin" 3r"ue more than usual 2elieve thin"s are real when the are not :6perience restlessness and a"itation /ave difficult sleepin" and ma wander

People with moderate 3l4heimer1s *isease often re7uire close supervision and support services such as home care ma become necessar +

Stage 4: Severe Alzheimer<s Disease (he severe sta"e can last from 1 to & ears or lon"er+ People with severe 3l4heimer1s *isease cannot do thin"s on their own an more+ (he ma not be able to:

,se or understand words $eco"nise famil members Care for themselves ;ove around independentl

People with severe 3l4heimer1s disease usuall re7uire constant care+

>ascular Dementia
Gascular dementia is a t pe of dementia caused b problems with the suppl of blood to the brain+ 5t is the second most common form of dementia+ Probable ris0 factors include hi"h blood pressure# hi"h cholesterol# advanced a"e and it is commonl associated with post%stro0e patients+ (here are a number of different t pes of vascular dementia# includin":

Multi,infarct dementia ?M(D@. 5t can occur "raduall when there have been a series of mini stro0es or transient ischaemic attac0s >(53s@+ (he person ma not realise the are e6periencin" these episodes which cause dama"e to the brain+ (his is probabl the most common t pe of vascular dementia+ Single,infarct dementia. (his ma occur followin" one lar"e stro0e which leaves permanent dama"e to a particular part of the brain+ Small >essel disease related dementia > sub%cortical vascular dementia or 2inswan"er1s disease@+ (his t pe of vascular dementia involves dama"e to ver small blood vessels deep within the brain# development is ver "radual and co"nitive problems are often accompanied b problems with wal0in" and mobilit +

-tro0e related dementia can be characterised b a ran"e of s mptoms# lar"el dependent on which part of the brain is dama"ed b the stro0e or the mini stro0es+ .ot ever one will e6perience all of the s mptoms# which can include:

;ild wea0ness in le" or arm -lurred speech *i44iness (rouble rememberin" thin"s# particularl recent events *ifficultl followin" a conversation and communicatin" Confusion /allucinations where the person sees or hears thin"s which are not real+ *epression with emotional swin"s# when lau"hter or tears can occur for no reason+

(he pro"ression of -tro0e related ;5* is related to how often and when the stro0es occur+ 3fter each mini%stro0e the condition pro"resses with s mptoms becomin" more pronounced# the person ma then improve sli"htl and the condition will stabilise until the e6perience the ne6t set of mini%stro0es+ -ometimes the mini%stro0es are so small that the pro"ression can be ver "radual# much li0e 3l4heimer1s disease+ -mall Gessel disease related dementia has a different pattern of s mptoms to -tro0e related ;5*# this is because this condition impacts a particular part of the brain# what is 0nown as Ewhite matter1 deep within the brain+ - mptoms can include: % -lowness and lethar" in thin0in" and actions % *ifficultl wal0in" % :motional ups and downs % Boss of bladder control earl in the condition (his s mptoms will pro"ress "raduall over time+

Diagnosing Dementia
(here is no one# strai"htforward test for a dementia such as 3l4heimer1s *isease+ (his can mean that confirmin" a dia"nosis is often difficult# particularl in the earl sta"es+ 3 dia"nosis of dementia usuall be"ins with the "eneral practitioner# 8P+ (he will start an assessment b buildin" a picture of what is causin" concern+ (he 8P will discuss the situation and plan what steps should be ta0en+ 5t can be helpful to build a diar of chan"es which a person e6periences and displa s over time to help the 8P form a picture of what is happenin"+ (he 8P will "enerall be"in an assessment b e6cludin" other causes of the si"ns and s mptoms causin" concern# this can include rulin" out an infection# vitamin deficienc # th roid problems# a brain tumour# depression and the side effects of dru"s which all can produce similar s mptoms+ (he 8P ma refer to a consultant# such as a "eriatrician# neurolo"ist# or a ps chiatrist of old a"e or to a ;emor Clinic+ (he consultant will conduct a full assessment to tr to establish the cause of the s mptoms+ (his process usuall includes a detailed assessment of the person1s memor # blood tests# and a full histor of the person1s medical and famil bac0"round+ 3 brain scan >C(# ;$5@ to identif an chan"es ta0in" place in the person1s brain ma form part of the assessment# but this ma not be re7uired for ever case+ 3fter the assessment# the consultant or doctor will draw to"ether all the results and evidence and if appropriate# a dia"nosis will be confirmed+ 5t ma be that the assessment is repeated at a later date in order to chart an chan"es and confirm the dia"nosis+

'reatment
(hrou"h research# we are learnin" more and more about how dementia can affect the brain+ 5t is not et 0nown how to prevent or cure it# but there are treatments available now that can help mana"e the s mptoms+ Hnowin" and reco"nisin" the earl s mptoms can "ive ou time to consider various issues such as availin" of treatments available# the mana"ement of financial and le"al affairs+ Aou should discuss the treatment options with the 8P / Consultant+ What &enefits can treatment offer= 5t is important to remember that no two people are the same and therefore no two people e6perience the same s mptoms+ :ach medicine has its own advanta"es and our 8P will discuss this with ou and advise which is the most suitable for the person with dementia+ (hese medicines can help treat the followin" s mptoms: Memory and 'hin+ing ;emor loss and for"etfulness are earl s mptoms of 3l4heimer1s *isease and people often pass this off as a normal part of the a"ein" process+ :ver one can for"et a name or a face occasionall but memor problems become more fre7uent and severe for a person with 3l4heimer1s *isease+ (hese treatments can help improve a person1s memor and enable the person to retain new information for lon"er+ Everyday Activities !hen a person has 3l4heimer1s *isease even simple# mundane tas0s can be difficult for them+ :6amples of this mi"ht include usin" the phone# doin" household chores# "ettin" dressed# preparin" meals# or mana"in" mone + ;edication can help some people to continue mana"in" their activities of dail livin" for lon"er+ %ehaviour 3 person1s behaviour can be affected b 3l4heimer1s *isease in man wa s+ - mptoms can include hallucinations# wanderin"# a""ression and moodiness+ ;edications can help with these s mptoms and this in turn can enable the person with 3l4heimer1s *isease to remain at home with their famil /carer for lon"er# possibl dela in" the need for full%time residential care+

What to do if you or someone close to you has &een diagnosed with Dementia
%e "ositive Concentrate on what ou >or the person with dementia@ can do rather than what ou cannot do+ ;edications are available and can help and there is on"oin" research into the cause and treatments of these conditions+

See+ hel" Call the 3l4heimer .ational /elpline on 1500 491 491 >;onda % =rida # 10am % 'pm@+ =ind out about the -ociet 1s publications includin" our 5nformation Pac0 and what services are in our area+ (he -ociet has a national networ0 of support services# which include da care# home care# carer support "roups and branches+ (he -ociet wor0s in communities throu"hout 5reland to tr to ensure that no%one lives with dementia alone+ Ma+e "lans for the future (he 3l4heimer -ociet of 5reland can assist ou with information on issues that should be considered when plannin" for the future+ )ne important issue that should be discussed with a solicitor as earl as possible is settin" up an :ndurin" Power of 3ttorne >:P3@+ (his is a le"al arran"ement whereb one person >the donor@ "ives authorit to another >the attorne @ or others to act on their behalf in the event of the donor becomin" unable to mana"e their own affairs+ *iscussin" and plannin" the future can avoid difficult and stressful situations arisin" later and can help to ensure that an decisions that are made b the famil or attorne # are as the person with dementia would wish+ 7oin the Alzheimer Society of (reland ;embership costs as little as ?15 per ear and will ensure that ou receive our 7uarterl newsletter and other relevant information+ )ur members enable the -ociet to have stron" voice when lobb in" 8overnment for better state services for people with dementia and their carers+