Sir, – Along with everybody else in this country I found Peggy Mangan’s death both very sad and tragic. Despite the magnificent care given to her by her family her death highlights an ever-growing problem in our country – Alzheimer’s.
There is no magic tablet or cure at present for this awful disease and all our treatments can do is to stall it somewhat. Twenty-four hour care is all but impossible to provide and a nursing home is usually the last port of call. I must congratulate the HSE staff who deal with these fragile elderly people; also our district nurses, social workers and above all our home-helps. This dedicated band of people provides a hidden but superb seven-day service on a very meagre budget and as such give those with Alzheimer’s the independence and dignity to remain at home as long as possible, which is so much more important than any treatment we doctors can provide. – Yours, etc,
AIDAN HAMPSON GP,
Whitethorn Rise,
Artane, Dublin 5.