DCU acknowledged during launch of Irish National Dementia Strategy
Yesterday, 17th December 2014, saw the launch of the Irish National Dementia Strategy by Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Joan Burton and Minister for Primary and Social Care Kathleen Lynch. DCU’s involvement in the provision of workforce training and development in this area was highlighted by the Taoiseach. The strategy honours the commitment of the Government to develop a national Alzheimer’s and other dementias strategy to increase awareness, ensure timely diagnosis and intervention, and develop enhanced community based services.
DCU researchers working in the area of dementia research are making meangingful impact in this area of key national priority. A significant number of projects are being undertaken in the University which reflect the community development approach to care outlined in the strategy and also provide supports and advice for policy makers and service providers.
Examples of research projects in the area of dementia include:
- Dem@care – (Dementia Ambient Care) to contribute to the timely diagnosis, assessment, maintenance and promotion of self-independence of people with dementia, by deepening the understanding of how the disease affects their everyday life and behaviour (PI: Prof Alan Smeaton, Insight)
- Dementia Elevator - preparing communities and health systems to respond to people with dementia in a way that reduces excess disability (PI: Dr Kate Irving, School of Nursing and Human Sciences)
- In-mindd – Innovative Midlife Intervention for Dementia Deterrence - an initiative for long-term brain health and preventing or at least delaying the onset of dementia by combining social innovation, multifactorial modelling and clinical expertise (PI: Dr Kate Irving, School of Health and Human Sciences)