Latest news with #TeaDay
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Health
- Irish Examiner
'It's keeping him going': Families call for more funds for Alzheimer Society Cork centre
A call has been made for increased funding to meet the growing demand for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland's (ASI) Cork centre, which has around 200 people with dementia on a waiting list. The centre offers day-care with activities, as well as home services and activities for under-65s with dementia or Alzheimer's. Alzheimer Society of Ireland southern region operations manager Breda Twohig set out the pressures during the annual Tea Party fundraiser on Saturday in Bessboro. Kieran and Maria O'Donovan with their newest grandchild enjoying the Alzheimer Society of Ireland annual Tea Day fundraiser at Bessboro Day Centre, Cork, on Saturday. Picture: Chani Anderson 'We'd have about 10 under-65s and that's only the people we can accept. We've over 22 clients here every day,' she said. 'We've 200 on the waiting list. There's people here who could come for five days but we can't take them five days. We take them for one day and some come for three. [That] is the most we can do.' She welcomed funding increases in recent years but stressed: 'The staff are key really. They are the whole experience for somebody with dementia.' Claire and Betty Keohane enjoying the Alzheimer Society of Ireland's annual Tea Day fundraiser in Cork on Saturday. Picture: Chani Anderson They are trying to expand further in west Cork but have found it challenging to hire carers. 'People all genuinely want to mind their loved ones at home but they can't do it alone and they actually break down,' she said. 'Families would take 10 hours [a week] if we could give it to them so we have to be fair to people and be fair to where carers are situated.' Breeda Horan, 70, from Carrigaline with her husband Ger, 72, was one of those at the fundraiser. Breeda Horan, 70, from Carrigaline with her husband Ger, 72, at Saturday's Alzheimer Society of Ireland annual Tea Day fundraiser in Cork. Picture: Chani Anderson Ger was diagnosed with frontal lobe dementia in his early 60s, leaving the former National Maritime College of Ireland lecturer unable to work, Breeda said. It's been very hard for him, very hard. He looks perfect to people but if you go five minutes beyond that, you know there's something wrong. He attends the centre two days a week, which she said is 'a godsend really for both of us' now. 'I think it's keeping him going with all the therapies, the caring and he loves the music,' she said. 'I think it's the people here, the environment. He was always a people person.' For herself, she noticed a difference from the start also. Pat Dillon enjoying some time in the memory garden at the Bessboro Day Centre with her grandson Aaron during the Alzheimer Society of Ireland annual Tea Day fundraiser on Saturday. Picture: Chani Anderson 'It was like a weight off your shoulders,' she said. 'I could relax for a bit and I knew he was very safe here.' She is unsure what the future holds and is already discussing this with their adult children. 'I'm 70 now, so you can keep doing it as long as you think you can,' she said quietly. Alzheimer Society of Ireland southern region operations manager Breda Twohig in the memory garden at the Bessboro Day Centre in Cork. Picture: Chani Anderson Minister of state for older people Kieran O' Donnell announced this month the HSE has commissioned the first national dementia registry. This will map services and identify gaps nationally. It will gather data on medications and people's quality of life also.
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
WATCH: Music and smiles at Crown Gardens tea day
Senior citizens at Crown Gardens Recreation Centre enjoyed International Tea Day with stakeholders, including the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), the private sector, higher education institutions, SAPS and locals on May 21. They were treated like kings and queens, with waiters on call. The day's presentation included many items. Speaker after speaker talked about ageing gracefully, empowerment in your later years, and watching out for scams. Activities for the day included health checks, legal advice, podiatry, chiropractic, social services, massages, fun games and entertainment. Welcoming the guests and outlining the purpose of the day, Carmen Winnaar from the CoJ said International Tea Day is observed annually on May 21, according to the United Nations. They adopted the resolution on December 21, 2019. Ward 54 Clr Marais Stuart said this day is special for the seniors. VIDEO 'This day is also in honour of the late Felicia, who wanted to do Tea Day with the residents of the south. In memory of her, we did this. Thank you to the team who put all this together. You must all have a lovely day and enjoy yourselves; there are cakes to indulge in,' he said. On the topic of CoJ's 'A City that Cares', Meshack Maluleke, regional manager of Social Development in Region F, emphasised that senior citizens are the best, and the city appreciates them. 'As a caring city, we will give you access to services. We will support you in your needs. Get healthy and exercise to live longer. We urge you to register for rebates. You paid tax for many years in your lives, now it is time for the city to give back,' he said. Maluleke also implored the young people to be volunteers at old-age homes. 'You must be friends with them to assist whenever they need help; be mindful of them,' he noted. Sponsors and partners of the day included Lee's Beauty Clinic, Lois du Plessis (singer and actress in House of Zwide), SPAR Ormonde and Ridgeway, Sasol Swartgoud, Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) Region F, Community Development, social development and sport and recreation Departments, Pick n Pay in The Glen Shopping Centre, UJ Chiropractor Department, UJ Law Clinic, UJ Podiatry Department, SAPS Johannesburg district, Support Those in Need Together, Clicks and Twenty 21 Holdings. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
WATCH: Crown Gardens sips, sings and celebrates
Senior citizens at Crown Gardens Recreation Centre enjoyed International Tea Day with stakeholders, including the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), the private sector, higher education institutions, SAPS and locals on May 21. They were treated like kings and queens, with waiters on call. The day's presentation included many items. Speaker after speaker talked about ageing gracefully, empowerment in your later years, and watching out for scams. Activities for the day included health checks, legal advice, podiatry, chiropractic, social services, massages, fun games and entertainment. Welcoming the guests and outlining the purpose of the day, Carmen Winnaar from the CoJ said International Tea Day is observed annually on May 21, according to the United Nations. They adopted the resolution on December 21, 2019. Ward 54 Clr Marais Stuart said this day is special for the seniors. VIDEO 'This day is also in honour of the late Felicia, who wanted to do Tea Day with the residents of the south. In memory of her, we did this. Thank you to the team who put all this together. You must all have a lovely day and enjoy yourselves; there are cakes to indulge in,' he said. On the topic of CoJ's 'A City that Cares', Meshack Maluleke, regional manager of Social Development in Region F, emphasised that senior citizens are the best, and the city appreciates them. 'As a caring city, we will give you access to services. We will support you in your needs. Get healthy and exercise to live longer. We urge you to register for rebates. You paid tax for many years in your lives, now it is time for the city to give back,' he said. Maluleke also implored the young people to be volunteers at old-age homes. 'You must be friends with them to assist whenever they need help; be mindful of them,' he noted. Sponsors and partners of the day included Lee's Beauty Clinic, Lois du Plessis (singer and actress in House of Zwide), SPAR Ormonde and Ridgeway, Sasol Swartgoud, Citizen Relationship and Urban Management (CRUM) Region F, Community Development, social development and sport and recreation Departments, Pick n Pay in The Glen Shopping Centre, UJ Chiropractor Department, UJ Law Clinic, UJ Podiatry Department, SAPS Johannesburg district, Support Those in Need Together, Clicks and Twenty 21 Holdings. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Irish Independent
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Alzheimer's ‘tea day' fundraiser in Cork town nearly runs out of cups amid the massive turnout
The Irish Alzheimer's Society relies heavily on fundraisers and donations made by the public to continue to provide services for people living with dementia, as well as their families. The Tea Day was hosted by Aindrias Moynihan TD and Councillor Gobnait Moynihan, and there was a 'huge turnout' on the day, which led to visitors picking up the slack and sorting themselves out with their own mug of tea. 'We had a huge turnout,' Ms Moynihan laughed, 'they all came in at the same time and it got so busy that people had to get their own cup of tea from the kitchen because we couldn't keep up with the amount of people who came in,' she said. 'We were washing cups as quick as we could to fill them with tea,' she added. The Tea Day brought out the best in the community as both businesses and locals baked cakes and treats on behalf of the Irish Alzheimer's Society. 'There was great support locally for the cakes and stuff, as people were making and baking them, and businesses donated cakes as well. 'We are very grateful for that. 'These events are great for raising awareness of this awful, awful illness, and it highlights that there is support out there,' Ms Moynihan added. Visitors who were under time constraints had the chance to grab a takeaway cup of tea or coffee and be on their way. 'We try to spread it out in the morning so there is enough time to come at whatever stage and we do have takeaway coffees as well just in case people don't have the time to sit down, but they can take the coffee away with them,' according to Ms Moynihan. Tea Day Ambassador and Fair City star Úna Crawford O'Brien stated that: ADVERTISEMENT 'Tea is such a small thing, but it creates a moment of pause and comfort in our day. 'For Bryan [her husband, the actor Bryan Murray] and I, tea really is the best time of the day, it's a chance to slow down and connect.' As of Wednesday, May 7, over €2,500 has been raised by the people of Macroom for the Irish Alzheimer's Society through this year's Tea Day. Mr Moynihan added it is 'brilliant to see the continuing and growing support year on year for individuals and families living with dementia.'
Irish Independent
06-05-2025
- General
- Irish Independent
See photos as Alzheimer's Tea Day comes to Co Wicklow
As always, St Killian House Family Resource Centre was the venue for the event in Greystones once more, as the town's Tea Day kicked off nice and early at 10am. Over in Christ Church, in Delgany, there was a great turnout for the charity fundraiser, which began at 10.30am where all present indulged in some sweet treats, tea and coffee, and enjoyed the positive vibes, which is what the event is all about – taking a pause and enjoying the company. Meanwhile, clients, volunteers and community members enjoyed a fantastic day at St John's Caring Centre in Hacketstown, when it hosted a coffee morning that raised nearly €500 for the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. With people coming and going throughout the morning, the joyous event saw attendees enjoy a range of cakes baked by centre volunteers to go with their teas and coffees. Centre manager Sheila Whelan, who oversees St John's care for the elderly, providing meals three days a week and a colossal number of meals on wheels to people in Hacketstown and its surrounding areas, said she was delighted with the funds raised. 'We raised nearly €500, which was brilliant for one morning,' she said. 'We just advertised it locally, and the local community came out in force, and it wasn't necessarily just clients at the centre – anyone and everyone was welcome. The coffee, tea and cakes were done by the volunteers here at the centre, and we had a beautiful day for it. Just a great morning altogether.' The funds raised from Tea Day go towards the many services The Alzheimer Society of Ireland provides to those living with dementia.
