People In Co. Kildare Encouraged To Be More Inclusive Of Those Living With Dementia & Their Loved Ones In The Community

Tuesday, 16 November 2021 15:52

11,000 people develop conditions each year

64,000 people in Ireland are living with dementia, with that number set to double by 2045.

Every year in Ireland, 11,000 people develop dementia.

Approximately 500,000 people living in this country have had a family member diagnosed with dementia.

People in Co. Kildare are encouraged to make more of an effort to be inclusive of those living in your community, with dementia.

The pandemic highlighted the difficulties those living with dementia & their loved ones face daily.

With many services now opening back up, it is the perfect time to encourage others to support & care for those effected by dementia.

When addressing the challenges faced by those:

See the person - not the dementia
Don't avoid - talk about the conditions
Ask how you can help
Stay in touch
Support the person with dementia to keep up hobbies & interests
Ensure your service or space is easy for those living with dementia to use

The importance of language is also highlighted.

Some tips that help:

Instead of saying someone suffers with dementia – say that they are living with dementia.
Use person first language – this simply means putting the person before the condition when you refer to it.
When referring to the condition, ‘dementia’ is the preferred term. There are many types of dementia, which affect a person differently.
You can find a guide on Dementia Inclusive Language, produced by the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland here.

On Friday, Johanne Murphy, physiotherapist & local dementia community champion, joined Clem Ryan on 'Kildare Today':

For more information visit https://www.understandtogether.ie/.

More from National News

Three Motorists Fined During Naas School Run As Children Were Not Wearing Seatbelts

Each driver received three penalty points and a €120 fine for each unbelted child.
New €53m Falcon 6X Joins Irish Air Corps Fleet

The Falcon 6X replaces the Learjet 45 and is expected to be operational in early 2026.
Sixteen Kildare Residents Died From Drug Poisoning Over A Two-Year Period

Nationally, drug-related deaths fell slightly compared with 2021, but remain well above pre-pandemic levels, with most deaths occurring in private homes and many people found to be alone at the time.
Fatal Celbridge Crash: Driver Jailed After Leaving Scene Without Reporting Friend Inside Car

After crashing into a truck on the Dublin Road at Celbridge, 22-year-old Jake Kelly, of Ballyfermot Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin, fled the scene. Jake Kelly was driving so fast when he crashed into the back of a heavy goods truck that was stopped at some traffic lights that the truck was shoved forward by 1.4m.
Gardaí Search Five Premises In Kildare, Dublin And Tipperary As Part Of Housing Sector Probe

The searches took place at five premises on Friday, December 12th, and were conducted by the Garda National Economic Crime Bureau, with assistance from the Corporate Enforcement Authority.
80 Drug-Driving Cases Before Naas Court So Far This Year Amid Calls For Tougher Penalties

The figures come as 170 people have died on Irish roads so far in 2025, seven more than at the same point last year.
Electricity Bills To Increase Next Year As Households To Shoulder Majority Of Power Grid Overhaul

Domestic customers will cover 55 per cent of the cost, with businesses paying the remainder.
Bus Éireann Confirms January Expressway Fare Increase, Cites Insurance And Fuel Costs

The company is blaming increases in its cost base, including maintenance and insurance.