Another part of Understand Together is teaching students about dementia. As part of a dementia awareness and educational programme, the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre (DSIDC) has published a dementia resource manual for teachers and a workbook for students called The Brain - from the Fantastic to the Forgetful.It educates students about the brain and the interaction between brain and lifestyle and is particularly helpful for young people who have loved ones with dementia.


An interactive pdf version of the school's resource is now available. 

The teaching resource can be integrated into Junior Cycle subjects Social, Political and Health Education (SPHE), Civic Social and Political Education (CSPE) and Science and Well-being in Junior Cycle where it can help to support students in the six indicators for Wellbeing.  It is also possible to integrate the resource into Transition Year Science or other relevant subjects and Transition Year Units (TU).

The resource manual covers:

  • Growing Older
  • The Brain
  • Brain Health
  • What is Dementia?
  • Perceptions of Dementia
  • Teaching resources, ideas for classroom discussions and action projects, workbook activities and links to extra reading are included in both the manual and the workbook.

To order your copy please contact Dearbhla O'Caheny on 01 4162105 or docaheny@stjames.ie

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