Dementia Inclusive Dungarvan – creating a safe welcoming place for those living with Dementia

Description

Over 64,000 people are living with Dementia in Ireland today and 63% of those people live at home in their own communities. Over 500,000 peoples lives are impacted as they are family carers. Dementia is not simply a health issue but is a social issue that requires a community response. Stigma and discrimination heighten the already significant psychological, social, emotional, and financial impacts that Dementia has on individuals, their carers, families, and communities. In 2023 the Alzheimer Society of Ireland decided to pilot a dementia Inclusive Community Programme.

The Dungarvan success story
In 4th October 2023, the local cinema was the venue for a public community engagement launch which was well-attended by 40 individuals. The dementia-inclusive community programme garnered significant attention and resulted in 20 voluntary sign-ups on the spot. This event sparked a phenomenon in Dungarvan. The number of volunteers has since risen to over 40. The Friends of ASI group consists of individuals, businesses, and organisations with representatives onboard from many other agencies in the area e.g. Alone, Waterford Area Partnership, WWETB, and Waterford County Council to name but a few.
An enthusiastic, empowered, and dedicated group of individuals formed the Friends of ASI Dungarvan group. Over the past seven months, there has been a whirlwind of activity aimed at increasing awareness about dementia and eliminating the stigma surrounding those living with it.
Five Community Dementia Awareness Training workshops were conducted with over 75 participants. A new memory cafe was established in February 2024, which is sponsored by one of the Friends as they provide the premises, music, and refreshments, with other members volunteering at each cafe. Historically there have been no Tea Days in Dungarvan but this year there were four Tea Days. Local schools have been recruited to participate in the TY programme 24/25.
The Friends of ASI Dungarvan group has proactively participated in a local Public Participation Network (PPN) event, a Community Roadshow, and the Dungarvan Woman’s Shed event. The group will be also participating in the Dungarvan Show in July and will be hosting a pop-up Memory Cafe on site. In addition, the group has distributed 60 Service Information leaflets to all the public spaces in the town plus GPs, dentists, solicitors, pharmacies, etc.
In April 2024 the amazing progress in Dungarvan caught the interest of the Researchers for RTE’s Nationwide Programme and we were approached to do a programme with them. The filming took place on Saturday April 27th beginning with the recreation of the monthly Memory Cafe at Merry’s where family members were interviewed with regards to the impact the work of ASI in Dungarvan has on their lives. The willingness of family members to be interviewed was amazing and it was very evident of their gratefulness.
They in our Day Service at the Deise Day Care to experience the wonderful work happening there. Members of the Friends of ASI Dungarvan were also interviewed about their experience of being part of the group including Emilene who provides the wonderful Memory Cafe at Merrys, and Rita who helps with the Dementia Awareness training. The filming was such an amazing positive experience for all involved
Partnering with the Dungarvan & West Waterford Chamber has been incredibly beneficial. From the beginning, they have been strong supporters of the Dementia Inclusive Community and Friends of ASI Dungarvan and have played an essential role in its promotion.
There are amazing plans for the further development of the Dementia Inclusive Dungarvan with further business training planned as well as Community awareness training. There are also many ideas being explored as to how to make Dungarvan more Dementia Inclusive.
Speaking of the impact of the programme Rebecca Smith, Day Care Manager Mitchelstown/Conna/Dungarvan said
“As a manager working closely with families and individuals living with Dementia, I have witnessed firsthand the positive impact of the Friends of ASI programme in the community of Dungarvan. When I now make the initial contact with a family, they are already aware of our services and eager to get involved. This has resulted in a smoother initial assessment process for me and, importantly, I can offer an immediate opportunity to get involved through Merry’s Memory Cafe.
This Cafe was created by the Friends of ASI programme and is powerfully supported by them. As a manager it can be difficult to tell people that there is a waiting list when you know the need for support urgent. Having this Memory Cafe in Dungarvan is a steppingstone for people to engage with and familiarise themselves with our services.
In fact, we have seen a significant increase in number at our Day Centre, doubled since the Friends of ASI group began, which is no coincidence. People in Dungarvan are talking more openly about Dementia and it is really promoting a community response”

Aim of Initiative

The Aim of the programme is to build a Dementia Inclusive Community increasing the support for people living with Dementia and their Carers In Dungarvan
What a Dementia Inclusive Community is
It is one in which People living with Dementia and their families fully participate in society and have a place in it.
It is one in which they enjoy respect, freedom, dignity, equality, accessibility and quality of life.
It is one in which they are empowered to live independently, free from stigma, discrimination, exploitation, violence or abuse.
It is one which they feel included and involved, and have choice and control over their day-to-day lives
It is one which can be described as a city, town or village where they are understood, respected and supported, and confident they can contribute to community life.
It is one in which the people in the community will be aware of and understand Dementia.

Who is it aimed at

The initiative is aimed at the whole community and strives to make a collective effort to improve the lives of theose living with Dementia, Their Family Members and Carers

3 Steps critical to success

1. The first step was identifying an area that needed increased supports for people living with Dementia. The ASI would have delivered Home Care in the Dungarvan area but until 2023 there was no day care, no memory Cafe and no community supports.
2. Linking in with various agencies in the lead up to the launch night. The support of the Dungarvan And West Waterford Chamber of Commerce has been amazing but the group has also had amazing support from the various voluntary groups within the region along with support from the businesses and statutory services.
3. This is a local community response to a local need. People living with Dementia in the area and their Carers are consulted as to what needs to happen and then the Friends of ASI volunteers along with the ASI staff make sure that it happens. Access to services and supports has already increased greatly for those living with Dementia in the area.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. The initial Challenge was the fact that while we knew clients in the area we did not know many key people however an introduction to the Chamber of Commerce changed that and opened the door to the programme.
2. A venue for meetings was the next challenge as ASI does not own a premises there however the Deise Day Centre has now offered their space. In terms of space for the Dementia Awareness Training The Arts Centre and ETB have both offered venues.
3. Getting the word of the services out there was an initial issue for ASI in Dungarvan however the support of the amazing group of Friends of ASI Dungarvan has meant that we now have many ambassadors and they work hard to ensure that people living with Dementia and their Carers realise the supports available and receive them

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. ASI had initiated a saturday Dementia Specific Day service early in 2023 however the numbers attending were really small – perhaps due to the stigma associated with Dementia. One of the first tasks of the group was to spread the word about the services and to encourage those who needed it to attend – in some cases people even offered lift and to go with people the first day. The numbers have increased from 2 to 12 attendees each saturday
2. A need was identified for a Memory Cafe and at one of our training sessions A member of the Group offered their premises for the Cafe and the Memory Cafe at Merrys was born. Emilene the owner not only gives the premises freely for the Cafe but has also recruited the help of others to supply refreshments and entertainment. Members of the Friends of ASI group volunteer at the Cafes. This has created a wonderful welcoming activity for PLWD and their Carers.
3. Dementia Awareness Training . Over 75 people have now completed the Dementia Awareness training in Dungarvan to date so may businesses now display a demetia Inclusive Community Badge on their premises – people from private businesses, the tourist office, the chamber of commerce, Waterford area partnership, the local shops, hotels, etc have all attended. The Schools in the area are starting on the Creating a Dementia Inclusive Generation training programme in September.