Dementia Friendly Tralee
Tralee Dementia Friendly Interagency Group
There are currently circa 64,142 people with dementia living in Ireland, a number which is estimated to increase significantly over the next 10-20 years.
Tralee Dementia Friendly Interagency Group was established in May 2019 with the aim of raising awareness of dementia in Tralee.
It is an interagency group with representatives from a wide spectrum of the community including the HSE, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, Tralee Chamber Alliance, Kerry County Council, an Garda Siochana, the local GAA, and representatives from voluntary and statutory agencies.
Family members of people with dementia and local groups for Older Persons are also represented on the group.
Inclusive Design Guide Booklet Launch
Some of the initiatives undertaken by the group include a ‘Tips for Friends, neighbours, businesses and service providers’ information card and dementia awareness and inclusive design training for businesses.
September is World Alzheimers month and to coincide with this Tralee Dementia Friendly Interagency group are publishing a ‘Tips on Inclusive Design’ booklet.
This booklet aims to provide tips and advice for the community on ensuring accessibility for everyone including those with dementia and other cognitive and sensory impairments.
The booklet provides some useful and easy to implement tips that will enhance the inclusiveness of our community and make it more welcoming for those with memory difficulties.
The guide provides tips and advice on how businesses and organisations can examine their physical environment to ensure it is meeting the needs of people with dementia.
David Scott, Tralee Chamber Alliance said ”the booklet is very practical and said businesses will welcome the advice and support in ensuring their businesses/properties are inclusive”
Michael Fitzgerald, Chief Officer for Cork Kerry Community Healthcare acknowledged the importance of raising awareness around dementia.
“The Inclusive Community Booklet is an important step towards achieving a dementia friendly town and initiatives, such as designing inclusive environments can support people with dementia to remain active in our communities which is integral to maintaining independence.”
The Tralee Dementia Friendly Forum encourages everyone to share responsibility for ensuring that people with dementia feel understood, valued and able to contribute to their community. The group encourage everyone to read the booklet both for the information it contains and also as an opportunity to start a conversation about Dementia If you would like more information regards the booklet or inclusive design please contact Catherine Murphy, Occupational therapist in the Memory Technology Resource Room on 0867809989 or by email to Catherine@bailemhuire.ie
Download Inclusive Design Guide
Brain Health Awareness Evening
The Tralee Dementia Friendly Interagency Group in collaboration with HSE Ireland and with support from Kerry GAA presented a brain health awareness evening.
This free event was organised to promote the importance of brain health.
The Key Speaker on the evening was – Professor Iracema Leroi, Associate Professor of Geriatric Psychiatry Trinity College Dublin & Faculty of Global Brain Health Institute discussed the importance of brain health and what we can do to promote brain health and maintain memory.
Professor Iracema’s clinical work is based at the Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing in Dublin, and she is currently the principal investigator with Dementia Trials Ireland.
A Panel Discussion which included experts on the Fair Deal process and Enduring Power of Attorney, Dementia Advisors and Kerry Memory Technology Resource Room. There was a variety of community support and information stands available on the night.
Kerry GAA Dementia Friendly Community Training of Stewards
There was a great turn out for Dementia Awareness Training recently delivered by the HSE, for GAA Stewards, under the Kerry GAA Dementia Friendly Community Initiative. This initiative is a pilot project, with Kerry GAA Health and Wellbeing Committee working in conjunction with the HSE, building on the HSE’s Dementia Friendly Tralee Initiative.
Participants included Stewards from Austin Stack Park and Fitzgerald Stadium, the Chairperson and members of the Austin Stack Park Committee, Officers of Kerry County Board and representatives of District Boards
Thanking the HSE for their support with the initiative, Chairman of Kerry G.A.A. Health and Wellbeing, Jimmy Mulligan said “60% of people with dementia live happily within the community and with collective community efforts; they should and will continue to do so”
“The GAA is a key part of the Community in Kerry and the training presented useful scenarios and advice on how we can support people with dementia to continue to enjoy our games”
The next steps in this initiative include preparation of a free Dementia Awareness Resource Pack in conjunction with the HSE for all involved in the GAA in Kerry.