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Late Late Show Spotlights Dementia

So were you watching the Late Late Show on Friday night? Kathy Ryan, only in her mid-50’s and looking a decade younger, talked about how she copes day to day. It’s been more challenging for her lately since she received her diagnosis in January. Her son, Sean Donal O’Shea spoke about caring for his mother, how they deal with it on a day to day basis and how she inspired him to change his career path after witnessing her courage since being diagnosed.

The interview on the Late Late Show will help to bring dementia out of the shadows. It will also help those with no experience of dementia to understand it from a personal and a carer point of view. Kathy and Sean Donal’s bravery in speaking out will not only open people’s eyes but also serve to support those living with dementia by helping to break down stigma and by growing awareness of how dementia can affect people and how each of us can help. Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of conditions which cause changes and damage to the brain.

The current situation

Did you know that 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. Not only will more care be necessary in the future but more awareness too. Kathy Ryan, who has early onset Alzheimer’s, commented on how people’s reactions can be hurtful. How she has found it hurtful that people have avoided meeting her eye or turned around to avoid having to speak to her, how people queuing behind her have been impatient if she is slow – society needs to be educated, people also need a greater understanding to appreciate how to help those with dementia and/or Alzheimer’s. 

What often surprises people is the fact that the majority of people with dementia (63%) live at home. Most people living with dementia are also cared for by a family member. There are approximately 50,000 dementia family carers in Ireland. As Sean Donal O’Shea said on Friday night, as family carers, they hugely appreciate the support from professional carers. Not only does it give them a break, it also provides them with reassurance they are doing the right thing.

As professional carers, Comfort Keepers supports those with dementia who are living at home. We support family carers in providing daily care, we can also help family carers by offering respite care. If you are a family carer and would like more help and support from a professional carer, get in touch.

So, if you would like to work as a professional carer, you can apply via our Vacancies page.

Connect with us

To begin starting care for your loved one, you can click here.

To join our incredible award-winning team, you can apply now by clicking here or emailing your CV to recruitment@comfortkeepers.ie

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