DCU Age-Friendly University Showcased MEMORABLE Research at International Dementia Conference
Dublin City University Age-Friendly University participated in the International Dementia Conference 2026, where AFU researcher Dr Waqar Ahmed delivered a presentation entitled Promoting Dementia-Friendly Cultural Participation in Ireland. The paper formed part of the Erasmus+ MEMORABLE project.
The Annual International Dementia Conference 2026 was organised by Engaging Dementia under the theme Let’s Keep Connecting: Personally, Professionally and Purposefully. The event brought together people living with dementia, family carers, practitioners, researchers, and service providers for expert talks, panel discussions, and professional exchange.
Promoting Dementia-Friendly Cultural Participation in Ireland
Dr Ahmed’s presentation reported findings from the Erasmus+ MEMORABLE cooperation partnership in adult education, co-funded by the European Union. The research at DCU’s Age-Friendly University Unit examined how creative and cultural activities can support inclusion and well-being for people living with dementia in Ireland.
The study combined desk research and stakeholder interviews. Participants included people living with dementia, family carers, cultural workers, programme coordinators, library staff, facilitators, and a researcher. The project responded to increasing policy interest in dementia-inclusive cultural spaces, while recognising uneven provision, regional disparities, and limited cross-sector coordination.
Key Findings and Practice Implications
Findings indicated that cultural programmes such as museum visits, music, dance, choirs, and poetry can support emotional well-being, social connection, memory recall, identity, and non-verbal communication. Stakeholders also reported positive effects on relationships between participants and carers.
The research identified ongoing challenges, including physical and cognitive accessibility, stigma, reliance on carers, short-term funding structures, uneven training provision, and limited evaluation tools capable of recognising subtle forms of engagement. Practice-focused recommendations addressed cross-sector collaboration, expanded dementia awareness and arts training, transport and outreach supports, cognitively accessible cultural environments, and programme design that recognises carers as participants.
The MEMORABLE Project
Across Europe, partners in the MEMORABLE project continue to collaborate, sharing research, lived experience, and cultural practice to co-create a curriculum that advances dementia-inclusive cultural participation.
DCU Age-Friendly University and its European partners are currently drafting curriculum modules for the project’s e-learning platform. The programme aims to equip cultural institutions with practical knowledge and skills to strengthen inclusive participation.
Further information is available on the MEMORABLE project website at