This week, more than 1,400 people from 44 countries came to the Convention Centre Dublin for the 36th Alzheimer Europe Conference. It was the first time Ireland had hosted the event since 2005. Opening the conference, the Taoiseach said Ireland needs to plan for the growing number of people living with dementia. He said services should help people live well and independently for as long as possible, with support for their families and carers.
Almost 70,000 people in Ireland live with dementia today, and that number is expected to pass 151,000 by 2050. Behind every one of those numbers is a family, and very often a home that the person wants to stay in.
At HomeCarer, an HSE-approved provider of home care in Dublin, we support people living with dementia every week. This guide covers what we see working for families: why home matters, everyday routines that help, simple safety steps, and how to get HSE home care in Dublin when you need extra support.
Why home matters for people living with dementia?
For someone with dementia, home is more than a building. Familiar rooms, a favourite chair, the view from the window and the neighbours on the road all help with memory and confidence. Moving to an unfamiliar place can be confusing and upsetting.
Most people tell us they want to stay at home for as long as possible. With the right support, many people with dementia can do that safely for years, keeping their routines, their community and their sense of who they are.
Everyday routines that help
Small, steady habits make a big difference. Families often find these help:
- Keep a regular rhythm to the day. Getting up, meals and bedtime at roughly the same time each day reduce confusion and worry.
- Make meals a shared activity. Preparing food together, even simple tasks like setting the table or buttering bread, builds confidence. A recent Alzheimer Society pilot in Enniscorthy found that cooking sessions helped people with early-stage dementia feel more confident in the kitchen.
- Keep doing what they love. Music, gardening, a walk to the shops, Mass or a GAA match on the radio can lift mood and spark memories.
- Stay connected. Visits from family and friends, a local day centre or an Alzheimer Café help prevent loneliness, for the person and for you.
- Use simple prompts. A large clock with the day and date, labels on cupboards and a whiteboard with the day’s plan can help people stay independent.
Simple safety steps and helpful technology
A few changes around the house can prevent falls and accidents:
- Good lighting in hallways and on stairs, including night lights to the bathroom
- Removing loose rugs and clutter from walkways
- Grab rails in the bathroom and a raised toilet seat if needed
- Cooker and tap safety devices for people who may forget to switch things off
Technology can also help, and much of it is simple to use:
- Personal alarms worn as a pendant or wristband let the person call for help at the press of a button. Under the government’s Seniors Alert Scheme, people aged 65 and over can get a monitored alarm free of charge through local community groups.
- Medication reminders and dispensers give an alert when tablets are due.
- Door and movement sensors can let family know if someone gets up at night or leaves the house.
- Video calls on a tablet set up with one-touch contacts help families stay in touch.
- The Alzheimer Society of Ireland runs Memory Technology Resource Rooms in Dublin, including in Ballyfermot and Clonskeagh, where you can try out equipment by appointment before you buy.
Signs it may be time for home support
Every family’s situation is different, but these signs suggest a little extra help could make a real difference:
- Meals are being skipped, or food in the fridge is going out of date
- Medication is being missed or taken twice
- Personal care, like washing and dressing, is becoming difficult
- There have been falls or near misses
- Your relative seems lonely, anxious or more confused in the evenings
- You, as the family carer, are exhausted, or worried about leaving them alone
Asking for help is not giving up. Regular home support often helps people with dementia stay at home for longer, and gives family carers the breaks they need.
How HomeCarer supports people living with dementia
HomeCarer Trusted Independent Living is an HSE-approved home care provider based in Portobello, Dublin 8. We provide home care across Dublin for clients with HSE-funded home support and for families arranging care privately.
For clients living with dementia, our carers can help with:
- Personal care such as washing, dressing and getting up or ready for bed, at a calm, unhurried pace
- Meals and medication prompts, so the day keeps its routine
- Companionship, chats, walks and the hobbies your relative enjoys
- Consistency, by matching each client with a small, regular team of carers wherever possible, because familiar faces matter
- Respite, giving family carers time to rest, work or simply have a cup of tea with a friend
- Keeping you informed, so families know how their loved one is getting on
Frequently asked questions
Is HSE home care free for someone with dementia? Yes. HSE home support is free, is not means-tested and does not need a medical card. People aged 65 and over can apply, and some people under 65 with early-onset dementia may also qualify.
Can we choose our own home care provider in Dublin? Yes. Once the HSE approves home support, you can choose an HSE-approved provider, such as HomeCarer Trusted Independent Living, and agree visit times with them.
What if the HSE hours are not enough? Many families add private home care hours on top of HSE home support. We can arrange both, so your relative sees the same carers.
Who regulates home care in Ireland? Under a new law passed in 2026, home support providers will be licensed and inspected by HIQA, the health and social care regulator.
Where can we get more dementia support in Dublin? The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s freephone helpline is 1800 341 341. Dementia advisers, day centres and Alzheimer Cafés are available across Dublin, and your GP or public health nurse can also guide you.
Talk to us about home care in Dublin
If someone you love is living with dementia, you don’t have to work it out alone. Our friendly team in Portobello can talk you through HSE home care, private care or a mix of both, and arrange a free, no-obligation care assessment at home.
Call HomeCarer today on 01 406 4285 to talk about home care in Dublin.