On a day of celebration, (May 6th), The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (The ASI) launched its new West Waterford Saturday Dementia Day Service in Dungarvan with an Alzheimer’s Tea Day party.
Minister of State at the Department of Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD, officially launched the service.
This new dementia-specific service will be of tremendous support and benefit to people living with dementia in the West Waterford catchment area.
The day service will provide dementia-specific, person-centred care to meet the needs of the person with dementia, in a warm welcoming, safe environment, while providing support and stimulation.
The new service will also offer a wide range of activities including reminiscence therapy, music sessions, gentle exercises, arts and crafts and personal care. The Saturday service will include a hot lunch.
The Alzheimer’s Tea Day and launch event provided a great opportunity to view the new service and meet The ASI team with performances from The Solas Choir, Dungarvan and Michael Mackey, and the service will run every Saturday from May 13th.
There are 1,729 people living with dementia in Waterford with 5,187 carers.
Minister of State Mary Butler said: “As a long-term advocate for people with dementia and in my current role as Minister for Mental Health and Older People, I’m really pleased to officially open this new West Waterford Day Care Service. This is a real example of the Government’s ongoing commitment to funding a range of supports for people with dementia and their families. Day care is a vital support for many people, providing restorative care both for the person with dementia and their loved ones. Déise Day Care already operates a fantastic 5-day service from this site, and the addition of a sixth, dementia-specific day will be hugely beneficial to people with dementia and their families here in Dungarvan and its wider catchment area.”
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Head of Operations, Siobhan O’Connor said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to be launching our new Day Service in Dungarvan; a service that will support the increased numbers of people living with dementia, their families and carers in the area and a home away from home. Today is a real celebration. We’re so thankful to all those people, especially our friends in The Deise Day Centre who worked tirelessly to ensure this day would become a reality. This centre is the culmination of many years of collaboration between the ASI and the local community and it seems fitting that we mark it today with a celebratory cup of tea!”
