Developing a national dementia strategy for Ireland

Abstract

Ireland’s population whilst young by European standards is ageing. At present, about 11% of Irish people are aged 65 and over, but over the next 50 years this figure is expected to reach about 25% (Eurostat, 2008). In line with population ageing, over the next three decades, number of Irish people diagnosed with dementia will also increase, from current estimates of around 38 000 to future estimates of 50 000 by 2016, 70 000 by 2026 and to over 100 000 by the year 2036 (O’Shea, 2007). Like in other Western countries, in Ireland most people diagnosed with dementia live at home and are cared for by family members and by community support services (O’Shea and O’Reilly, 1999). About 4000 are aged less than 65 and this younger cohort places different and significant demands on the health and social care system and on family members. There is also considerable regional variation in the prevalence of dementia across the country, with the West of Ireland because of its demographic profile, supporting the largest number of people (O’Shea and O’Reilly, 1999). Whilst undoubtedly home care may place strain on family members, Irish research has shown that overwhelmingly this is the type of care older people themselves prefer (Garavan et al., 2001). Comparative cost estimates derived from an analysis of a number of European dementia studies reflect low per capita per annum costs of care for people with dementia in Ireland with other European countries such as Finland, Norway and Belgium spending a vast amount more per capita on dementia compared with Ireland (OECD, 2004).