The opening of the Tredagh Lodge Day Care Centre in Drogheda in 2022 was a huge leap forward in terms of the care available to people suffering from dementia and their families.
Las night saw another important step forward being taken when the Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s (The ASI), Friends of ASI programme hosted an event at St. Peter’s Church of Ireland in support of a Dementia-Inclusive Drogheda.
The event, which was attended by local dignitaries, people affected by dementia, community members, local businesses, aimed to foster awareness and encourage the community to create a more accessible environment for people living with Dementia.
Deirdre Birch – whose mother lives with dementia – says speaking about the condition is key to increasing public understanding and awareness:
“Information and communication are the key to nurturing education and understanding in communities. The more we can speak about dementia, the more we can learn from others, share experiences and become more patient and understanding,” she says.
“Those who may not previously have reached out or participated may now be encouraged to do so; ultimately, it is hoped this event will raise significant awareness and provide reassurance and comfort – not only for those living with dementia but for their families and their friends.
“When we brought my mum – who is living with dementia – to the hairdressers, to buy clothes or out for lunch, we always felt tense and stressed about how others may react to things she may say or do that they may not understand. If we felt that way – how must my mum have felt – unfamiliar places, sounds and people; this always resonated with me. If there was more understanding and you knew staff were trained, this would bring a great level of comfort and would make these experiences more enjoyable, ultimately encouraging all to participate and engage more.”
ASI Drogheda Branch Chairperson, Gerry Leydon said: “Dementia is not simply a health issue, but a social issue that requires a community response. We encourage everyone in Drogheda to join us as we embark on this exciting and important initiative to build a community of dementia inclusivity.”
The Friends of ASI is a dementia-inclusive programme. It includes training, awareness, education, and services and aims to encourage people, businesses and services to create a more nurturing and accepting environment for people living with dementia and their families in their community. People living with dementia are among the most marginalised in our society and can often face social exclusion and stigma.
This initiative is working alongside the HSE’s Dementia: Understand Together campaign. Dementia: Understand Together, a national partnership between The ASI, HSE, Age Friendly Ireland, Age & Opportunity, Dementia Services Information and Development Centre, and Healthy Ireland, encourages community members and people living with dementia to make their communities more dementia-inclusive.
Following the Dementia-Inclusive Community event, The ASI – with significant input from the local Friends of ASI – will develop an action plan as Drogheda embarks on its journey towards building a dementia-inclusive community.
In 2022, The ASI marked a significant milestone with the opening of the Tredagh Lodge Day Care Centre in Drogheda, a project that was made possible through 25 years of fundraising and lobbying by its volunteers, Drogheda Branch, the local committee, and businesses, Louth County Council, their officials and the people of Drogheda and surrounding areas.
This event highlights The ASI’s dedication to supporting individuals affected by dementia in Drogheda, following the successful launch of similar events in various counties across Ireland. In November 2023, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland celebrated the launch of Mahon Point Shopping Centre as the first dementia-inclusive shopping centre in the country.
