Share a memory for Alzheimer's

Dear sir - The Alzheimer Society is struggling to cope with greater demand for support and is asking the public to get involved in the Memory Ribbon fundraising campaign to help fund its vital services. This Christmas, families all over Ireland will decorate trees with special baubles, decorations and lights that remind them of Christmas gone by. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland has just launched a special online Christmas tree www.memoryribbon.ie and is encouraging members of the public to decorate it to remember everyone who has been touched in some way by Alzheimer's disease. Due to people living longer it is predicted that the number of people with dementia will increase from a current total of 44,000 to over 104,000 by 2036. Currently in Meath there are 1,300 people living with Alzheimer's disease or dementia. Demand for the services provided by The Alzheimer's Society of Ireland which includes day care, respite and home care continues to remain at an all time high with waiting lists of almost 1,000 families nationwide. Alzheimer's has a devastating impact on families. Services like home care, day and respite care and support groups help hundreds and thousands of people to cope. The Alzheimer Society is underfunded and the demand for services is soaring. We really need support this Christmas if we are to maintain vital services for those desperately needing them. We are heavily dependent on public support as government funding only meets 67 per cent of annual costs. For details about how to support the Christmas Memory Ribbon Campaign contact Emily Brew on (01) 207 3816, ebrew@alzheimer.ie or visit www.memoryribbon.ie Yours, Maurice O'Connell, Chief Executive, Alzheimer Society of Ireland.