Be a part of the movement towards a dementia-inclusive Nenagh
Hosted by the Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s North Tipperary Branch, a dementia-inclusive community event will take place at Abbey Court Hotel in Nenagh on Thursday, 3rd October at 7 pm. The event aims to encourage people, businesses, and services in Nenagh to create a dementia-inclusive community.
June Parker whose husband uses The ASI services in Nenagh, emphasises the importance of support for those navigating life with dementia:
"My husband was diagnosed with Alzheimer's nearly ten years ago. We carried on without any support for a number of years before I eventually contacted The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. On reflection, life would have been easier if we were in touch with the Society as soon as he was diagnosed.
"With the support from The ASI of both caring hours and emotional support, it's been easier to accept and live with the illness. Our monthly support group facilitated by Jennifer from The Alzheimer Society, is very helpful with information and suggestions on how to care for the person suffering with the disease. I would be lost without the support and regret not asking it sooner.”
Homecare Coordinator at The ASI Jennifer Woods said: "Communities can play a key role in reducing the challenges for people living with the dementia, and for their families; I encourage everyone who can to join us at on 3rd October and show their support for those affected by the condition.”
This event follows the launch of similar events in several counties across the country. Head of Operations and Community Engagement at The ASI, Siobhan O’Connor said: "Our Friends of ASI dementia inclusive events have garnered an incredible response. People are keen to learn about dementia and how they can help those affected by the condition. I have no doubt that Nenagh will embrace this initiative.”
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.
For more information about this event and the Friends of ASI dementia inclusive community initiative, please contact friendsofasi@alzheimer.ie or visit alzheimer.ie.