At the Council of Europe meeting Fianna Fáil Senator Fiona O’Loughlin has sought assurances from EU Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakidou that Dementia and Alzheimer’s care will be prioritised at an EU level.
Senator O’Loughlin commented, “Today I would like to speak about those who do not have a voice neither here nor in their own countries because sadly in many instances they no longer have their voices and it remains to families and others to advocate for them. I am speaking about people living with dementia or Alzheimer’s who have been hugely impacted by Covid.
“While member states need to invest heavily in community day services and in family carer support packages, I believe that at a European level focus on dementia and Alzheimer’s care must be prioritised.
“EU focus and investment should go into earlier onset dementia supports, dementia research and prevention via dementia inclusive communities. We should also focus on modifiable risk factors of dementia which may prevent or delay up to 40% of dementia diagnosis which is not widely known.” In response to Senator O’Loughlin’s contribution the Health Commissioner agreed to prioritise Dementia and Alzheimer’s care at an EU level