We recently partnered with IRS local radio stations across Ireland. People with dementia, family members, carers and community champions spoke about their experiences, changes they see in the Irish dementia landscape and the things that make a difference to them in their local dementia inclusive community.
There was a particular focus this year on the importance of connection, friendship and social interaction for people and families who are living with dementia.
You can listen back to the interviews below.
Clare FM interview with Susan Crampton (Clare.fm)
Susan talks about being a supporter, carer and advocate for her late mom, Anne, who lived with mixed vascular and Alzheimer's dementia
East Coast Radio interview with Nuala Paley (Eastcoast.fm)
Nuala speaks about her experience of supporting her husband Gerry who is living with dementia
East Coast Radio interview with Orla Finn (Eastcoats.fm)
Orla Finn is a Programme Coordinator for Wicklow Dementia Supports Musical Memories in Graystones
Highland Radio interview with Anna McTiernan (Highlandradio.com)
Anna is the Northwest Programe Manager and talks about services and supports available to people nationally and in Donegal
KCLR FM interview with Mary Hickey (KCLR96FM.com)
Mary is the co-founder of the Kilkenny Memory Support Group
KFM interview with Muriel Moore (KFMradio.com)
Muriel is an advocate for both people with dementia and carers having supported her late husband, Martin, who had Alzheimer's disease
KFM interview with Paul Maloney (KFMradio.com)
Paul is the Programme Manager for the HSE's National Dementia Services
Midlands Radio interview with Joanne Hourigan (Midlands103.com)
Joanne is the Galway Dementia Advisor with The Alzheimer's Society of Ireland
Midwest Radio interview with Declan Howley (Midwestradio.ie)
Declan is manager of FACT Social Club, the Foxford Alzheimer Community Trust and a dementia champion for the West of Ireland
Midwest Radio interview with Helen Rochford Brennan (Midwestradio.ie)
Helen is a member and former Chair of the European Dementia Working Group. Helen is living with dementia
Northern Sound interview with Elaine Kearney (northernsound.ie)
Elaine is the Cavan and Monaghan Dementia Advisor with The Alzheimer's Society of Ireland
Ocean FM interview with Carmel Geoghegan (Oceanfm.ie)
Carmel is the founder of Dementia Ireland and was a carer for her mother Angela Doris who lived with dementia
Ocean FM interview with Anna McTiernan (Oceanfm.ie)
Anna works with Leitrim Development Company on dementia inclusive activities
Radio Kerry interview with Eibhlís Cahillane, Dolores McElligott and Catherine Murphy (Radiokerry.ie)
Eibhlís, Dolores and Catherine are part of the HSE’s community care team and support the wider Kerry Dementia Friendly Interagency Groups
Shannonside interview with Mary Murphy (Shannonside.ie)
Mary is a Dementia Nurse Specialist at Western Alzheimer's
South East Radio interview with Emer Finn (Southeastradio.ie)
Emer is an Occupational Therapist in the Memory Technology Resource Room in Wexford
Sunshine Radio interview with Máire-Anne Doyle (Sunshineradio.ie)
Máire-Anne cared and advocated for her late father, Brian, who had vascular dementia for 10 years
Sunshine Radio interview with Siobhán Nic Gaoithín (Sunshineradio.ie)
Siobhán is the Age-Friendly Programme Manager and Social Inclusion Officer at Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Council
Tipp FM interview with Marguerite Keating (Tippfm.com)
Marguerite is living with dementia and is a member of the Irish Dementia Working Group
Tipp FM interview with Fiona Crotty (Tippfm.com)
Fiona is the Age Friendly Programme Manager in Tipperary and supports local dementia inclusive initiatives