MANY carers who look after people with dementia and Alzheimer’s are struggling to cope. Which is why the Guernsey Press is today launching a campaign to help raise £1m. to enable building work to start on a new specialist care unit.
Maison de Quetteville will be connected to Maison L’Aumone in Castel and campaigners said there was an immediate need for the home.
Paul Le Boutillier, chairman of Maison L’Aumone, said he believed the new 29-bed unit would soon be filled.
‘We believe that there are more than 29 people out there at the moment who need this sort of care and accommodation,’ he said.
‘We need the new care home now. To what extent we don’t know, but we are aware of people looking for homes for their loved ones.’
Staff at Maison L’Aumone receive several calls every week from carers who are struggling to cope with the pressure of looking after a loved one.
‘It’s often elderly carers who are finding it difficult to cope and they get in touch looking for support. There must be people suffering because otherwise we would not be getting so many calls.’
Mr Le Boutillier said he was worried that many families suffered in silence because they were afraid of what might happen to their loved one.
‘This is something that we must overcome. The Alzheimer’s Society does a terrific job with giving carers relief, but that’s really only a short-term measure.
‘We have done a lot of research into care of dementia and Alzheimer’s patients in the island and have been encouraged by Health minister Peter Roffey to get this home under way because of the great need for it.’
Jurat Mike Tanguy, chairman of the Alzheimer’s Society’s Guernsey branch, agreed that the home would be filled very quickly. ‘I think the timing of this development is perfect.
‘There are probably enough people in the island now who would make use of the support and accommodation this facility will offer,’ he said.
One in three islanders could be affected by dementia - either as a sufferer, relative or carer - if the current increase in cases continues.
Mr Tanguy said: ‘The pressure of these diseases on the community will increase because there are more people living longer. Dementia can strike anyone at any time.’
He added that the Health and Social Services Department had made great strides in the quality of care but facilities such as the new care home were crucial. ‘I could not be more complimentary about this development. It’s a huge project that I think deserves everybody’s support.’
Deputy Health minister David Grut said the department had identified the need for improved facilities with its recent developments at the hospital and fully supported the Maison de Quetteville project.
‘I would agree that the standard of care in Guernsey is very good, but there is a definite need for this facility,’ he said. ‘We welcome with open arms that they are catering for that need in the island.’
*Anyone who would like to make a donation may send a cheque, made payable to The Alzheimer’s Care Project, to David Hodgetts, La Collette, Les Croutes, St Peter Port, GY1 1QH.
* Anyone with plans to stage an event or raise money should call the Guernsey press on 240213.
Article posted on 11th April, 2007 - 12.00am
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