Discrimination against 'Illness of later life' must end
Posted by Bronwen Maher on May 25, 2011 at 10:03 AM
Labour MEP Nessa Childers has called for the end of the ‘discrimination against illness of later life’. Speaking at her seminar ‘Shared Priorities - Dementia and Alzheimer policy in Europe and Ireland’, held on the 17th June in the Radisson Hotel, Dublin, Ms Childers said: “Our health care system as its stands discriminates against older people, this may not be the intention but reflects a mind-set when it comes to spending policy. I’m calling for the end of the discrimination against illness of later life where there is a cap on medical care for older people that would not be tolerated in cancer care or care for children.”
"The seminar is being held at a critical time in dementia care and policy in Ireland and across Europe. Held in association with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, the seminar explores what needs to be done to help people living with dementia and their families, and to prevent the onset of dementia. Conservative estimates suggest that there are close to 4,000 new cases of dementia per year and Ireland’s ageing population and increasing life expectancy means that the numbers of those affected will increase to 104,000 by 2036".
Dementia is a major public health issue with massive social, political and economic implications, including increased monetary and physical dependency, the need for more dementia care services and improved access to medical care. The Programme for Government recognises dementia as a health priority and sets out a commitment to develop a National Dementia Strategy by 2013. The seminar draws together experts from Europe and Ireland to look at planning and policy. The EU initiative, Joint Action on Alzheimers, launched earlier this year steps up cooperation and support to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care across the EU.
Ms Childers introduced the following amendments to the new EU Initiative:
- To focus on specific needs of women, who account for twice the amount of people living with dementia, or caring for a family member with dementia.
- To focus on a healthy diet as current research suggests that diet may be a significant causal factor in the development of Alzheimer's.
- That the EU examines use of living wills.
Speakers included: Maurice O'Connell Alzheimer Society of Ireland; Deirdre Downes, Carer; Dominic Trepel, Health Economist, University of Limerick; Dr. Suzanne Cahill TCD; Michael Smith, Dept. of Health; Enda Connolly, The Health Research Board; Patricia Rickard-Clark, Law Reform Commission; Jean Georges, Alzheimer Europe and Dr. Roisín Rooney, European Commission. All presentations are available on request from Nessa Childers' Ireland East Office
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