Around 64,000 people are living with dementia in Ireland today, and the number is projected to reach 150,000 by 2045. Of those currently affected, roughly 5,200 are under 65 — early-onset dementia isn't rare. For families navigating a new diagnosis, the landscape of services, funding and specialist care can feel overwhelming. This guide lays it out in order: from first symptoms to specialist residential care.

Getting a diagnosis

If you or a family member are noticing memory or cognitive changes, the route is:

  1. Start with the GP. They can do initial cognitive screening, rule out other causes (thyroid, B12, depression, medications), and refer on if needed.
  2. Memory Assessment Support Services (MASS) — a network of assessment clinics around the country. The GP refers here for a comprehensive multidisciplinary assessment. MASS is the front door for suspected dementia or mild cognitive impairment.
  3. Regional Specialist Memory Clinics (RSMC) — for complex, early-onset, or atypical presentations. Access is usually via MASS or consultant referral.
  4. Diagnosis and follow-up. Most people are told what type of dementia they have (Alzheimer's, vascular, Lewy body, frontotemporal) and given a follow-up plan.

Waiting times for memory clinics vary by region. Private memory clinics exist if NHS waits are long; your GP can advise.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland — the main non-HSE support organisation

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI) is the national charity supporting people with dementia and their families. Their services are free for people with dementia and carers, and reach every county. Start here if the diagnosis is new.

Dementia Advisers

Around 29 Dementia Advisers work across Ireland. They meet families after diagnosis (at home or by phone) to:

  • Explain what the diagnosis means day-to-day
  • Signpost local services — day care, respite, specialist clinics
  • Help plan ahead (legal, financial, practical)
  • Support you through changes over time

The service is free, confidential, and by referral. Your GP, memory clinic, or any ASI service can refer you.

National Helpline — 1800 341 341

Information and emotional support for anyone affected by dementia. Open Monday–Friday 10am–5pm and Saturday 10am–4pm. You don't need a referral — just ring.

Day care centres

Dementia-specific day care is one of the most important supports available. Trained staff, purpose-designed environments, structured activity, and meals. For the person with dementia it's meaningful engagement; for the family carer it's essential respite. ASI runs day centres across the country — details on their Services in my County page.

Home care services

ASI Home Care assigns a trained dementia care worker to visit the person at home for a set number of hours per week. This is different from standard HSE home support — the carer is specifically trained in dementia care, and the focus is on meaningful engagement, not just personal care tasks.

Social clubs and Alzheimer Cafés

Regular, low-key gatherings for people with dementia and their carers — often in a café setting. For the person, it's social contact without the pressure of "hiding" symptoms. For carers, it's meeting others going through the same thing.

Family carer training

Free training programmes that cover understanding dementia, communication strategies, managing difficult behaviours, and looking after yourself as a carer.

HSE services

HSE home support for dementia

Standard HSE home support hours are available to people with dementia on the same basis as anyone else — apply through the local Home Support Office. See our HSE home support guide for how to apply.

For more complex cases, intensive home care packages are available in some HSE regions. These are larger allocations with specialist input — ask the MASS or Dementia Adviser whether one is available locally.

Memory Technology Resource Rooms

HSE-run spaces where you can try out assistive technology designed for people with memory difficulties — reminder clocks, telephone aids, pill dispensers with alarms, GPS trackers. Usually free to try before buying. Your Dementia Adviser can point you to the nearest one.

Understand Together

The national HSE-led public awareness and information campaign — understandtogether.ie. Not a service in itself, but a useful hub of plain-English information about dementia and what's available locally.

Specialist memory care units in nursing homes

Many nursing homes have a dedicated dementia unit — sometimes called a memory care unit or secure unit — within the larger home. These are designed specifically for people whose dementia has progressed to a point where general residential care isn't safe or appropriate.

What to look for on a visit

  • Dementia-trained staff. Ask specifically about training — many homes train all staff in dementia awareness; the best have specialist lead nurses.
  • Secure but not clinical environment. Residents can wander safely within the unit. Doors prevent exit but there are no overt locks visible; corridors loop rather than dead-end.
  • Meaningful activity programme. Music, gardening, reminiscence therapy, sensory rooms — not just a TV in a day room.
  • Staff-to-resident ratio — dementia care needs higher ratios than standard residential care.
  • Family involvement policy. Visiting arrangements, family meetings, how the home communicates changes.

Reading HIQA reports for dementia units

When you read inspection reports for a home with a memory unit, pay particular attention to:

  • Regulation 8 (Protection) — any finding here is especially serious in dementia care
  • Regulation 5 (Individual care plans) — dementia care plans should be specific, not generic
  • Regulation 15 (Staffing) — adequate ratios matter more here
  • Regulation 17 (Premises) — is the physical environment genuinely dementia-friendly?

See our HIQA inspection reports guide for how to read these.

Funding dementia care

There's no dementia-specific funding scheme — the routes are the same as other older-person care, but a few notes specific to dementia:

  • HSE home support hours — free, no means test. Apply through the local Home Support Office.
  • Alzheimer Society services — free to the person and family, funded by the HSE and charitable donations.
  • Fair Deal scheme — covers long-term nursing home care, including in specialist memory units. The contribution calculation is the same as for any nursing home (see our Fair Deal guide).
  • Carer's Allowance / Carer's Benefit — available to family carers. See our Carer's payments guide.
  • Tax relief on nursing home fees — available at the marginal rate. Our tax relief guide covers it.

Plan ahead — while you can

Dementia is one of the few conditions where the earlier the planning happens, the better the outcomes. Two documents families should complete early, while the person still has capacity:

Enduring Power of Attorney (EPA)

An EPA lets a chosen person make financial and/or personal-care decisions on behalf of the person with dementia if they lose capacity. Under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (commenced in 2023), EPAs are now registered with the Decision Support Service. They can only be created while the person has capacity to understand what they're signing — which is why doing this early matters.

Advance Healthcare Directive

A written statement of the person's wishes about future medical treatment — including what care they'd accept or refuse at later stages. Gives clarity to family and clinicians when the person can no longer speak for themselves.

Resources and helplines

What to do next

  • If a diagnosis has just been made, ring the ASI National Helpline (1800 341 341) — ask about a Dementia Adviser referral for your county
  • Apply for HSE home support hours early — the waiting list is the limiting factor
  • Look into EPA with a solicitor while the person has capacity
  • If residential care is becoming a question, filter your nursing home shortlist by homes with dedicated memory units and read the HIQA reports carefully

Sources: Alzheimer Society of Ireland, HSE Dementia Pathways, Understand Together, Decision Support Service. General information, not medical or legal advice.