Time for a cuppa for Alzheimer’s support day

GALLONS of tea have been drunk over the past 25 years to help families living with dementia and this year will be no different.

This year the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland (ASI) aims to raise €500,000 on Thursday, May 2. The tea day campaign provides vital funds for truly important services, which include nationwide day care centres, respite, home care, social clubs, carer supports groups, Alzheimer cafés and the busy National Helpline. This year the RTE Rose of Tralee presenter, Dáithí Ó Sé, is calling on the nation to host a Tea Day in aid of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) and he will be having a cuppa to support ASI.

Every year, thousands of people around the country get involved with local Tea Day events in their homes, workplaces, schools, local community centres, parishes or somewhere special. The ASI is asking people to invite their friends, family, colleagues and neighbours to have a cuppa, a chat and maybe a treat or two.

It is easy to register a tea day, just visit www.teaday.ie and simply register your details to receive a Tea Day pack – the pack includes an A3 poster, an invitation book, a collection box, five books of raffle tickets, a bank giro and fun tips on hosting a Tea Day event. The deadline for registration is Friday, April 26 Last year there were 1,200 Tea Day hosts and this year the Charity is looking to double that number.

It is estimated that there are 5,425 people living with dementia in Cork and for every one person with dementia three others are directly affected. And the number is expected to more than double over the next 20 years to 10,850 in 2039.