Initiatives to support those living with dementia

A Memory Resource Room where people concerned about memory loss can talk to health professionals is just one of a number of North Cork initiatives designed to support dementia patients and their families.

“We advise people to keep a diary, we stress the importance of writing things down, of keeping memo boards around the house, or using phone reminders. Of course it depends on the person’s needs at the time,” said occupational therapist Sheena Cadoo.

The Memory Resource Room — which is open to all, no referral needed, is one of two support services being launched in Mallow today.

The other is the Crystal Project which brings together a range of specialised dementia services involving the HSE, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland, family carers, UCC and GPs in Mallow Primary Healthcare Centre (MPHC).

Its services include ongoing training for family carers of dementia patients.

Brian Lawlor, Professor of Old Age Psychiatry at Trinity College Dublin, will be guest speaker at the launch of the Crystal Project.