Specific Life Threatening Diseases
You may find it helpful to find out more information about the specific disease that affects the person that you care for.
This section gives you links to the various websites that provide information relating to particular diseases, both cancer and also other life-threatening diseases.
In relation to those who have received a diagnosis of cancer, the Irish Cancer Society
has a comprehensive series of fact sheets, which detail information on treatment, diagnosis and terminology used when talking about cancer. It has produced a series of publications covering the most common cancers as well as a guide for caring for someone with cancer. This organisation has also set up an electronic message board so that carers and people diagnosed with these diseases have an opportunity to link up on line with other people who may be able to offer you advice and help with regard to the situation that you are facing.
The Irish Heart Foundation has a dedicated section on their website for patients and their carers. This website has a specific section dealing with Heart Failure. Click here for a link to learn more about Stroke. To learn how to spot the signs of a stroke watch the Irish Heart Foundation's F.A.S.T. video. If yoiu have been affected by stroke, the Irish Heart Foundation has an online stroke forum where people can chat and share experiences. Visit Stroke Forum to sign up.
Heart Failure Matters is a European website for patients with living with heart disease, their families and carers. The Irish Heart Foundation and irishhealth.com have prepared an on-line video questions and answers on heart failure.
Some people find the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease quite overwhelming. Detailed information on Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, as well as the services available from for people with disease is available through the Alzheimer Society of Ireland . An on-line video questions and answers on Alzheimer's disease has been prepared by irishhealth.com in collaboration with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. It can be accessed here. Research published in April 2010 by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland on Irish family carers' experiences of their relative's transition to a nursing home "Continuing to Care for People with Dementia" can be accessed here.
Care Alliance Ireland in association with the Parkinson's Association of Ireland carried out research on the health status of family carers of people with Parkinson's. The report, entitled "The Caring Reality of Family Carers", was published in June 2010. A link to the full report and an executive summary is available here.
Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (ABI Ireland), formerly known as the Peter Bradley Foundation, has been formally commissioned by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to provide community rehabilitation services locally to those with an identified acquired brain injury. To date ABI Ireland has accredited 15 home and community services, 14 residences and a number of day resource centres across four geographical regions. These are supported by clinical support and rehabilitation teams. These services place critical emphasis on client centredness, quality, effectiveness and value for money.
The following disease-specific organisations provide a range of services and information that are specific to the needs of people that have these conditions, and their family members and carers
Multiple Sclerosis Society
Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association
Parkinson's Association of Ireland
Irish Raynauds and Scleroderma Society
Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland
The Irish Lung Fibrosis Association provides information on lung/pulmonary fibrosis
Acquired Brain Injury Ireland
Mesothelioma
.