A conference for the families and carers of people with dementia will be held at the Clayton Hotel, Ballybrit on Thursday May 12 from 9am to 4.30pm.
The event is being organised by the Later Life Psychiatry team at University Hospital Galway in conjunction with the National Alzheimers Association and the Western Alzheimer’s Foundation.
It is aimed at family members and carers who are looking after a relative with dementia as well as nursing home staff and public health nurses. However, any member of the public or any healthcare professional interested in dementia is welcome to attend.
The agenda for the conference will include a number of lectures on dementia and care of the elderly in the morning. This will be followed by a series of parallel workshops in the afternoon when participants can choose a topic of particular interest and participate in small group interactive sessions on that subject.
Dr Karena Meehan, a consultant psychiatrist at UHG and one of the organisers of the conference, says about 40,000 people in Ireland suffer from dementia, many of whom are cared for at home.
“We know that carers and family members do a superb job looking after the elderly and this conference will give them an opportunity to come together and share experiences and information.
“Helping elderly people to continue living in their own homes for as long as possible is one of the key aims of the psychiatry for later life service in Galway. We believe that supporting carers and providing education and information to them regarding the diagnosis, management and services for dementia patients is one of the most effective ways of achieving this aim.”
Speakers will consist of healthcare professionals, including consultants in medicine for the elderly and psychiatry for later life, legal experts, carers and family members who have experience of caring for people with dementia.
Key issues for patients with memory difficulties including medications, driving, respite care and legal dilemmas will be addressed.
To find out more about the conference and to book a place telephone (091 ) 542978 or email [email protected]
