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31st October 2014

Sligo native, Helen Rochford Brennan, voted on to European Dementia Working Group (EDWG) at the Alzheimer Europe Annual Conference

Helen also named as Vice Chair of EDWG

Sligo woman Helen Rochford Brennan was voted on to the European Dementia Working Group at the annual Alzheimer Europe Conference, which took place in Glasgow, Scotland last week. Helen, who is already Chair of the Irish Dementia Working Group, has been advocating for the rights of people with dementia since her diagnosis of Alzheimer’s in 2012 at the age of 62.

The European Dementia Working Group is made up of nine people with dementia from across Europe. It is an advocacy group and allows people with dementia to have a voice and to ensure that the activities, projects and meetings of Alzheimer Europe reflect the priorities and views of people with dementia. Importantly, with Helen as a member of this group, Ireland can contribute to inform policy at a European level.

According to Helen, “the EDWG offers those who are living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias the opportunity to raise issues that are important to them, at a European level. It means nothing will be decided about us, without our input. I am delighted to be representing Ireland and to have the chance to promote real change for people with dementia”.

Ends  There are approximately 48,000 people living with dementia in Ireland. This number is expected to increase significantly in the coming years; rising to 68,216 people by 2021 and to 132,000 people by 2041.  The majority of people with dementia (63%) live at home in the community. Most people living with dementia are cared for by a family member and there are approximately 50,000 dementia family carers in Ireland.  Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of conditions which cause changes and damage to the brain.  The overall cost of dementia care in Ireland is just over €1.69 billion per annum; 48% of this is attributable to family care; 43% is accounted for by residential care; formal health and social care services contribute only 9% to the total cost.  The Alzheimer Society of Ireland National Helpline is open six days a week Monday to Friday 10am- 5pm and Saturday 10 am to 4 pm on 1800 341 341.  Figures referenced to Cahill, S. & Pierce, M. (2013) The Prevalence of Dementia in Ireland