Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a set of symptoms and behaviours that occur when the brain stops working properly. This results in loss of independent function for that person.
Daily brain exercises may help decrease your risk of developing dementia by building cognitive reserve.
This page will help you to find local services in relation to dementia quickly and efficiently.
Within communities people are taking action, big and small steps that make a difference in the everyday lives of people with dementia. Find out what actions you can take and the supports available.
Businesses or service providers can make a big difference to the quality of life of people with dementia and their families. Find out what actions you can take and the supports available.
A community champion inspires others to make a positive difference to people living with dementia and their families. Find out how you can become a community champion and the supports available.
How to diminish the risk factors and reduce the risk of developing dementia.
The Dementia: Understand Together campaign recently partnered with IRS local radio stations. Twenty interviews took place across ten stations with people living with dementia, carers and people working to support them.
This year has been a particularly difficult one for people living with dementia and their carers, family and friends, as many may have been cocooning to stay safe from Covid – 19, missing social connections or support services. The winter months, with shorter days, darker evenings and colder weather will present new challenges for people to engage in their communities, go for walks or see a much-missed friend.
We want to help ensure that people with dementia and their families know that they are not forgotten and continue to raise awareness in communities about the ways we can reach out, support and engage.
You can listen back to the interviews here
Clare FM Leahnora Clohessy
Leahnora is an OT and Manager of the Clare Memory Technology Resource Room
Clare FM Marian Costello
Marian cares for her parents who are living with dementia
KCLR Catherine & Maureen O Hara
Maureen is living with dementia and is joined by her sister Catherine
KCLR Live Mary Hickey
Mary is the co-founder of the Kilkenny Memory Support Group
KFM Kildare Fiona Marie Booth
Fiona Marie is a member of the Dementia Carers Campaign Network
KFM Kildare Professor Louise Hopper DCU
Louise is Assistant Professor in the School of Psychology in Dublin City University and the founder of the Leixlip Dementia Cafe
MidWest Radio Antoinette Larkin
Antoinette is an Advanced Nurse Practitioner in Portiuncula University Hospital
Midlands 103 Joan Mannion
Joan is an advanced Nurse Practitioner (Cognitive Assessment & Dementia Care-Psychiatry of Later Life)
Midlands 103 Dr Helen Rochford Brennan
Helen is a member and former Chair of the European Dementia Working Group. Helen is living with dementia
Mid West Radio Frances Maloney
Frances is the Operations Manager at Community Action on Dementia in Mayo
Ocean FM Carmel Geoghegan
Carmel is the founder of Dementia Ireland and was a carer for her mother who lived with dementia
Ocean FM Julie Bradley
Julie is an occupational therapist working with patients living with dementia
Radio Kerry Kevin and Helena Quaid
Kevin is a member of the Irish Dementia Working Group and is living with Lewy Body dementia. Kevin’s wife, Helena is his full-time carer and a member of the Dementia Carers Campaign Network
Radio Kerry Amy Murphy
Amy is a Dementia Advisor with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, supporting those affected by dementia and guiding them through services in their local area
Shannonside Tom McCann
Tom is a Dementia Nurse Specialist with Western Alzheimers, supporting those affected by dementia and guiding them through services in their local area
Shannonside Eileen Ridge
Eileen is a volunteer with Western Alzheimers’ Befriending service. Eileen’s husband is living with dementia.
South East Radio Ann Marie Hayes and Brian Toomey
Ann Marie, a public health nurse, and Brian, a volunteer, are community champions, who are working together on dementia inclusive projects in Bunclody
South East Radio Mary D’Arcy
Mary D’Arcy is a carer for her husband with dementia
Tipp FM Emma O Brien
Emma is a senior occupational therapist in the Memory Technology Resource Room in Clonmel
Tipp FM Dementia Marguerite Keating & Clodagh Whelan
Marguerite is living with dementia and is a member of the Irish Dementia Working Group. Clodagh Whelan is Engagement and Participation Officer with the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland
