'They need to be out and socialising': Daughters of former GAA president urge people to help those with dementia

The McCague sisters, daughters of former GAA president and Monaghan manager Seán McCague, from left, Emma Flanagan, Freda McCague, Martha MacCinna, Paula McGonnell, and Nuala Smyth at the GAA and HSE 'Understand Together' event at Croke Park on Thursday. Picture: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

The five daughters of former GAA president Seán McCague, who died with dementia, have called on people not to be ashamed of the illness.

They spoke of the kindness shown to him by the GAA and wider community as they helped launch a dementia awareness campaign with the HSE and GAA on Thursday.

Mr McCague was just 77 when he died in 2022. He was involved with all levels of the GAA, from his beloved local Scotstown club in Monaghan up.

Nuala Smyth said: “Our father was unfortunate to get early onset dementia in his 60s. And we travelled that road with him.” 

In a rural community “where everyone knows everyone” she said people could help more when they know what is going on.

“We definitely felt that experience because everybody knew our dad, so people were very kind,” she said.

They allowed him time to process, they allowed him time to answer questions. They allowed him to tell stories multiple times and still get a reaction. And they were kind to him.

She added: “Sometimes when he wasn’t sure of where he was, they’d re-direct him. Those supports are really huge for the family of the person living with dementia.” 

They are sharing their experience, she said, "in the hope it might help other people travelling the same journey, even though no two people’s journey would be the same". 

Standing side by side in Croke Park on Thursday, her sister Freda urged anyone affected to know there is support out there in their clubs and communities. 

They saw how being part of the Scotstown community continued to help their father.

But she is aware of the risk of isolation, and said: “It’s important to get that message out that they need to be out and socialising with people.” 

Their sisters Martha MacCinna and Emma Flanagan took part in a panel discussion. 

“He had a good friend Liam who used to take him to matches all around the county,” Emma said.

“People would approach to say ‘How’re you doing Sean?’ and Liam would be in his ear telling him ‘this is such and such from Carrickmacross or wherever’.” 

She added: “It also gave Mammy that wee respite for a couple of hours.”  

The sisters all praised their mother Bernie for caring for Mr McCague. 

His diagnosis was well-known because of his GAA roles, and Emma urged people: “The message has to be, don’t be ashamed of it.” 

HSE clinical lead for dementia services Dr Sean O’Dowd echoed the calls for connection.

“We know from large studies the importance of social connectiveness in terms of brain health,” he said.

Social isolation is a risk factor for dementia and he said for people with the condition “social connectiveness is very protective in terms of the course of their illness". 

Minister of state for older people Kieran O’ Donnell said: “The Government is fully committed in terms of providing those further supports to people with dementia and their families so they can live in their own homes, within their own community for as long as possible."

The campaign rolls out from Sunday during the All-Ireland semi-final between Kerry and Dublin. A video shot in Scotstown GAA will share the sisters’ message again for the crowds.

This will also be attended by Jordan and Cian Adams, known as the FTD brothers for their campaigning work around frontotemporal dementia.