Summer 2024 edition of the HSE’s National Dementia Services newsletter with many national and local updates, including a day in your life with Senior Occupational Therapist Catherine Daly from the Memory Harbour in Clonskeagh, Dublin. You can see read the newsletter here: NDS Summer letter 2024. Please do share it widely amongst your networks.
- The Spring edition of the HSE’s Health Matters is available. It features Dementia Inclusive Community talks and events, organised by community champions and supported by expert speakers (pages 30-31 see page number on the feed). Read about the “Making Memories Café” in Whitehall, Dublin, which is a new service established through the collaboration of multiple stakeholders (page 52). An update on prescribing psychotropic medications for non-cognitive symptoms of dementia is on page 76. You can read the full edition here: Health matters summer 2024
· The Mater Hospital opened its Dementia Friendly Sitting room, creating an inclusive space for their patients and visitors to enjoy. It was developed with the needs of the person with dementia and their family in mind and optimised for their comfort and relaxation. See the full article here Dementia Friendly Sitting Room Mater Hospital
National Partners
· *Boots Ireland’s ESG Champion conference with over 100 staff members, hosted Irish Dementia Working Group members Kathleen Farrell and Marguerite Keating who spoke about dementia, their day to day experiences, and how important the understanding and support of staff members is to them. Kathleen’s and Marguerite’s moving and uplifting insights were inspirational and impactful. All Boots stores are displaying the Dementia Inclusive Community symbol.
· * Following the dementia awareness training of Actavo’s staff members, the development of a customer journey, and including dementia in their induction training programme, the organisation now created LinkedIn campaign messages for their company LinkedIn profile to highlight their work and support of customers. Staff members proudly wear the Dementia Inclusive Symbol badges and the symbol is displayed on the Actavo’s vans.
· *The Dementia Services Information and Development Centre and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland launched the award winning ‘Creating a Dementia Inclusive Generation’ Transition Year Programme as Gaeilge at Meanscoil Gharman. The programme provides students with the knowledge to make brain healthy life choices, increases their dementia awareness and improves their Irish language skills. The TYP won the Irish Healthcare Centre Awards.
Community Champions:
- Bantry Dementia Alliance hosted a meeting with volunteers, community councils, businesses, schools, faith groups and the Garda to agree on the Bantry local development plan for dementia and inspire more community champions to join the alliance. You can follow the Bantry Alliance on facebook here.
- South Dublin County Council are working towards making Ballyroan a dementia inclusive community. After the successful and well attended dementia awareness event in May, dementia awareness training will now be rolled- out for local businesses.
- Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown (dlr) County Council and Age Friendly Programme are promoting dementia awareness and working towards an inclusive community. A range of dementia awareness events were organised as part of the dlr Festival of Inclusion & Bealtaine Festival. Dementia Awareness and Wayfinding training was rolled-out for council staff members, local councillors and the public.
- Leitrim Integrated Development Company hosted a Dementia Awareness morning in Mohill which was facilitated by Sharon Richardson, Project Manager for the Implementation of the Dementia Strategy. A further awareness event is planned for September with the aim of making Mohill the first Dementia Inclusive Community in Leitrim.
Resources:
- All Dementia Inclusive Community symbol resources such as the toolkit, window stickers, badges, as well as the newly developed Horticulture and Gardening leaflet can be ordered free of charge from www.healthpromotion.ie
- If you are interested in dementia awareness training, please email us at
- If you are planning a local event and need support, ie developing community materials with the Dementia Inclusive Community symbol displayed, please don’t hesitate to contact us.#
Workshop: Last call
The next Community Champion get-together for existing champions will take place on July 3rd from 12.30-1.30 online. If you wish to join this get-together please email
Agenda:
12.30–1.10
• Stephanie Kennedy, Tour Guide, Information and Education Officer from the Office of Public Works
Making our heritage spaces and art tours dementia inclusive
• Fiona Foley, It’s all about the story – Resources and templates to support story-telling
• Fiona Crotty, Administrative Officer, Economic, Community and Rural Development, Age Friendly coordinator, Tipperary County Council Opportunities of engaging with the local council and community network
1.10–1.30
• Shared learning
• Questions and answers
