Cork-based Crystal Project supports those with dementia and Alzheimer's

An outpouring of praise was awarded to Anthony Hopkins for his nuanced portrayal of someone with dementia in the recently released movie, The Father. This Cork-based initiative helps patients, like Hopkins' character, at all stages of a diagnosis.

Sheena Cadoo, lead on The Crystal Project, a community dementia initiative Picture; Eddie O'Hare

Seeing the changes in your loved one is scary. There’s a point at which you can’t ignore it anymore – the way they tell the same story twice in the one phone call, or ask what day it is five times in an hour, or say they definitely met their best friend yesterday when you know that happened three weeks ago.

For individuals and families at any stage of a journey with dementia, an award-winning community project based at Mallow Primary Healthcare Centre is offering practical, positive, empathetic support. It’s available to people living in North Cork, though some services are also open to those outside the region.