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.
These rooms are for people who would like to know more about products and devices which can help manage memory difficulties.
The National Intellectual Disability Memory Service is committed to improving the early detection of dementia in people with an intellectual disability and offering post-diagnostic supports.
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 National Dementia Office (NDO) was established in 2015 in accordance with the launch of the National Dementia Strategy (2014). The NDO provides leadership at a system level for the implementation of the strategy. Its role and function is to oversee the implementation, monitoring, and ongoing evaluation of the National Dementia Strategy.
The NDO is established under the remit of the National Social Care Division HSE.
Our vision is that people with dementia and their family carers receive the supports and services they need to fulfil their potential and to maintain their identity, resilience and dignity as valued and active citizens in society.
Our mission is to transform the dementia landscape in Ireland by:
The values that will guide the NDO in all its activities and interactions in realising its mission are: Professionalism and Accountability, Dignity, Respect, Compassion, Collaboration and Partnership, Empowerment and a Rights-Based Approach.
Dr. Emer Begley (Acting General Manager)
Emer is the Interim General Manager at the National Dementia Office. In this role, she oversees the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy and the roll-out of dementia new service developments funded under the HSE’s National Service Plan. Prior to taking on this role Emer was Senior Project Manager with the NDO and led a number of projects including the dementia post-diagnostic support project and the development of Ireland’s first Dementia Model of Care. Before joining the HSE in January 2017, Emer worked for eight years in the Community and Voluntary Sector, most recently as Policy and Research Manager with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
E-mail: Emer.Begley@hse.ie
Kate Brennan
Kate joined the team in November 2021 as Senior Project Manager. Kate initially completed her degree in Maynooth college in Sociology and History and went on to complete a postgrad in Community and Youth work.
Kate brings over 20 years of experience working in the health care sector initially with Family Carers Ireland and for 12 years she worked as Regional Manager with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland covering the Midlands and southeast regions. She worked to increase levels of funding and service provision for dementia-specific home care and daycare service for people living with dementia and their family carers. Kate then worked for over 7 years as a Service Manager with Jigsaw (The National Centre for Youth mental Health) in Laois/Offaly which delivered early intervention youth mental health services for young people. Kate has also completed further studies with The National College of Ireland and Health Management Institute in Management and employees relations.
Email: kate.brennan2@hse.ie
Dr. Mairéad Bracken Scally
Mairéad joined the office in January 2022 as Senior Project Manager for the implementation of “Appropriate prescribing of psychotropic medication for non-cognitive symptoms in people with dementia” (National Clinical Guideline No. 21). Prior to joining, Mairéad worked for six years in healthcare research and audit with a specific focus on dementia. Most recently she was National Audit Coordinator for the Second Irish National Audit of Dementia care in acute hospitals (INAD-2). Prior to this, she worked as part of the evaluation team of a three-year HSE and Genio-funded dementia programme, based in both community and hospital sites.
Mairéad holds a PhD in Psychology from Maynooth University. Her PhD study explored the quality of life and trauma symptoms of older persons, namely retirees. She has an extensive research portfolio having worked on a variety of research projects since 2008, with a focus on healthcare research and mental health. She has been lead author and co-author on a large number of reports, journal articles and other publications.
Email: Mairead.Bracken@hse.ie
Fiona Foley
Fiona Foley joined the team in March 2022 as Senior Project Manager “Dementia: Understand Together”. Fiona was a business and competence manager in the automotive industry in Germany for 10 years. In Ireland, she then worked with a number of advocacy and health organisations. Most recently with the Alzheimer Society when she was seconded to the Health Service to develop a framework for Dementia Inclusive Communities. Before this, she established the Social Enterprise Siel Bleu, promoting physical activities for older adults and those with chronic diseases. She holds a BA in Business, MA in Management of Health and Non-profit organisations and certificates in Social Enterprise and Corporate Governance.
Email: fiona.foley1@hse.ie
Sinead O' Reilly
Sinead O’Reilly joined the National Dementia Office in April 2019 as a Project Officer having previously worked in the Nursing & Midwifery, Planning & Development unit for 14 years ( NMPDU). Sinead has been involved in promoting further education and training. Throughout her time in the NMPDU, Sinead assisted in the roll-out of National projects, most notably the Early Warning Score in Acute Hospitals. Sinead holds a Certificate in Project Management.
Email: sinead.oreilly@hse.ie
Stephanie Connell
Stephanie joined the office in September 2017 as administrator. She has a wide range of administrative experience gained from working across various sectors in both Ireland and Australia. Stephanie holds a Certificate in Supervisory Management and Team Leadership from Athlone Institute of Technology and a Diploma in Data Analytics from Dublin Business School.
E-mail: Dementia.Office@hse.ie or Stephanie.Connell@hse.ie Phone: 057 931 8451
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