EverActive

Description

The Regional Specialist Memory Clinic at St. James’s Hospital is one of four such clinics in Ireland. We provide a specialised level of assessment and diagnosis, and also multidisciplinary support for individuals diagnosed with cognitive conditions, including Mild Cognitive Impairment, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Dementia with Lewy Bodies.
Our team includes geriatricians, clinical nurse specialists, an advanced nurse practitioner, neurologists, psychiatrists, a neuropsychologist, a speech and language therapist (SLT), an occupational therapist (OT), a clinical nutritionist, social work and a physiotherapist.
Healthcare is increasingly focused on keeping people well and preventing illness before it starts. This is especially true for dementia, where several modifiable risk factors have been identified. Research shows that lifestyle factors—such as staying physically active, eating well, and remaining socially and mentally engaged—can help reduce the risk of developing dementia by up to 45%. For those already experiencing mild memory difficulties, taking steps to support brain health can make a real difference. These interventions may help slow or even prevent the progression to more serious memory issues (Livingston et al., 2020).
EverActive is an innovative new programme for patients attending the Memory Clinic and their support partners. It is a collaboration between the St. James’s Hospital Memory Clinic, the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre (DSiDC), and Dublin City Council. Funding has been provided by the DSiDC at St. James’s Hospital. The programme aligns with the goals of Ireland’s National Dementia Strategy, which emphasises community-based supports and integrated care. It also reflects the value of strong community partnerships, promoting local collaboration to support health and wellbeing.
A four-week pilot programme was launched in February 2024. Following its success, we partnered with the manager of St. Catherine’s Community Gym to host the programme there. We are now running our fourth cycle of the programme, which has been extended to seven weeks. It combines brain health education with a postural stability exercise class.
Each week, a clinician from the Memory Clinic delivers a talk on their area of expertise and its connection to brain health. This is followed by a balance, strength, and conditioning class focused on falls prevention, led by a qualified postural stability instructor and a physiotherapist. A break between the talk and the exercise session provides time for participants to connect socially and offer peer support.
At the end of the programme, participants and their partners were invited to complete a feedback form. This included open-ended questions about their experience and the programme’s content and format. All six participants with memory difficulties reported that they found the programme helpful. Similarly, all support partners rated every aspect of the programme as either “very good” or “excellent.” Participants particularly valued the friendly group atmosphere, the expertise of the speakers, the physical activity sessions, and the practical information shared.

Aim of Initiative

The EverActive programme at the Regional Specialist Memory Clinic in St. James’s Hospital aims to enhance the health and wellbeing of individuals with memory difficulties through a holistic, community-based approach. Rooted in the principles of Ireland’s National Dementia Strategy, the project seeks to empower participants and their support partners by combining clinical expertise with practical, lifestyle-focused interventions.

The primary goal of EverActive is to support brain health and potentially slow cognitive decline by addressing modifiable risk factors for dementia. The programme integrates weekly educational sessions—delivered by multidisciplinary clinicians—with targeted postural stability exercises designed to improve strength, balance, and reduce the risk of falls. This dual approach reflects current research highlighting the benefits of physical activity, mental stimulation, and social engagement in maintaining cognitive function.

Another key aim is to foster a supportive, inclusive environment where participants and their partners can connect, share experiences, and build community. The social aspect of the programme is intentionally structured to encourage peer support and reduce isolation, which is often experienced by those living with cognitive conditions.

By collaborating with local organisations such as Dublin City Council and St. Catherine’s Community Gym, EverActive also demonstrates the value of integrated care and community partnerships in delivering sustainable, person-centred dementia support. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants underscores the programme’s impact and its potential as a model for future initiatives in dementia care and prevention.

Who is it aimed at

The EverActive initiative is specifically aimed at:

Individuals attending the Memory Clinic at St. James’s Hospital who are experiencing:
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies
and other early-stage cognitive conditions.
It is also aimed at support partners of these individuals, such as: family members, friends and, carers.
These participants benefit from both the educational and physical components of the programme. The initiative is designed to support people who are already showing signs of memory difficulties, helping them maintain cognitive function, physical health, and emotional wellbeing. At the same time, it provides support partners with valuable knowledge, tools, and a sense of community.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Multidisciplinary Collaboration
   The involvement of a diverse team—including Occupational therapists, Physiotherapists, Speech and language therapists, clinical nutritionists, postural stability instructor and social workers—ensures that participants receive well-rounded, expert-led support. This collaboration enhances the quality and relevance of both the educational and physical components of the programme.
2. Integration of Education and Exercise
   Combining brain health education with postural stability exercises addresses both cognitive and physical wellbeing. This dual approach is evidence-based and aligns with research showing that lifestyle interventions can significantly reduce dementia risk and support those with early cognitive decline.
3. Community-Based Delivery
   Hosting the programme in a local community gym (St. Catherine’s) and partnering with Dublin City Council strengthens accessibility and encourages social engagement. This setting helps reduce stigma, fosters inclusivity, and supports the goal of integrated, community-centred care.

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Securing Sustainable Funding
   Although the European grant from DSiDC provided initial support, ensuring long-term financial sustainability for multiple programme cycles will require careful planning and resource allocation going forward.
2. Coordinating Multidisciplinary and Community Partnerships
   Bringing together clinicians from various specialties and aligning efforts with external partners like Dublin City Council and St. Catherine’s Community Gym involved complex coordination, scheduling, and communication to maintain a cohesive and consistent programme.
3. Designing for Accessibility and Engagement
   Creating a programme that was both informative and physically appropriate for individuals with varying levels of cognitive and physical ability required thoughtful design. Balancing educational content, exercise intensity, and social interaction to meet diverse needs is a continuous learning process.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Improved Cognitive and Physical Health
   Participants experience enhanced brain health awareness and physical function through combined education and exercise, supporting memory and reducing fall risk.
2. Increased Social Connection and Support
   The group setting fosters meaningful social interaction, peer support, and a sense of community, helping to reduce isolation.
3. Empowerment in Self-Management
   Participants and their support partners gain practical tools, knowledge, and confidence to actively manage cognitive health and wellbeing.