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Dementia in the Media

Content

  1. Recent National Media Coverage
  2. Communications Contacts
  3. Press Releases
  4. Facts & Figures
  5. The Voice Magazine
  6. Media Guidelines – Language
  7. Infographics

Recent National Media Coverage

Communications Contacts

 

Communications Manager
Cormac Cahill
cormac.cahill@alzheimer.ie
086 044 1214

Communications Officer
Lisa Gernon
lisa.gernon@alzheimer.ie
086 029 5634

Press Releases

  • 11 counties experience difficulties across Ireland as they are unable to open or have no day care service 24th September 2021
  • Virgin Media TV presenter Martin King and beauty expert and entrepreneur Pamela Laird issue rallying call for Virtual Alzheimer’s Memory Walk fundraiser 21st July 2021
  • People with Dementia and Family Carers Urged to Participate in New TeamUp for Dementia Research Service to Boost Dementia Research in Ireland 12th July 2021
  • Taoiseach Micheal Martin visits Bessboro Day Care Centre for people living with dementia in Cork as it reopens after 16 months of closure 3rd July 2021
  • Family Carers report enormous strain and plea for re-opening of dementia services, 11th June 2021
  • Advocate Kevin Quaid encourages Ireland’s major public transport providers to continue on ‘heartening’ journey making services dementia-inclusive, 13th May 2021
  • Dáithí Ó Sé invites nation to show solidarity with people with dementia and family carers to celebrate Alzheimer’s Tea Day 2021 8th April 2021
  • Virgin Media Television’s Donate for Dementia campaign raises €1 million for The Alzheimer Society of Ireland 30th March 2021
  • The Alzheimer Society of Ireland partners with Virgin Media Television to get the nation ‘Jumping for Jack’ 21st March 2021
  • The Alzheimer Society of Ireland teaming up with Virgin Media Television for special ‘Donate For Dementia’ week to mark Jack Charlton documentary 11th March 2021
  • The Alzheimer Society of Ireland calls on Government to designate family carers of people with dementia as a priority group for COVID-19 vaccination 21st January 2021
  • The Alzheimer Society of Ireland hosting free online workshop on how social robots can be used in dementia care – now and in the future 11th January 2021
  • Former Trade Union organiser, Sean Mackell: ‘I have fought for justice, fairness and people’s rights all my life – I’m not going to stop now despite a diagnosis of dementia’ 3rd December 2020
  • Keeping memories alive this Christmas – Family carer shares heartfelt message for her mother on new Alzheimer’s Virtual Memory Tree 11th November 2020
  • Budget 2021: €13 million dementia investment positive step to address sharp deterioration in health of people affected by dementia during Covid-19 13th October 2020
  • The Alzheimer Society of Ireland delighted to announce Eugene McCague as new Chair, 29th September 2020
  • Budget 2021: €20m investment needed in infrastructure, home care and community supports to address sharp deterioration in health of people affected by dementia, 25th September 2020
  • Alzheimer’s Disease International launches most comprehensive report on dementia-inclusive design to mark World Alzheimer’s Day 2020, 21st September 2020. 21st September 2020
  • First Virtual Alzheimer’s Memory Walk: Fahy Families undertaking epic five-day 125k ‘Irish Camino’ adventure to keep memories of ‘very special’ Kay alive, 20th September 2020
  • New international exchange project brings quality online education programme to dementia family carers in Kenya, 9th September 2020
  • Beauty expert and entrepreneur Pamela Laird issues rallying call for public to make every step count for ASI’s first Alzheimer’s Memory Walk fundraiser in September, 11th August 2020
  • Harrowing accounts of life in lockdown reveal crisis for family carers and sharp deterioration of health for people with dementia as vital services remain closed, 7th July 2020
  • Campaigner and full-time carer for her dad (90) refusing to ‘go down black hole’ as Ireland marks hidden heroes during National Carers Week 2020, 8th June 2020
  • Ahead of ‘Hear Our Voice!’ launch, campaigner Kevin Quaid – ‘Having the chance to influence dementia policy gives me great hope after coming out of a very dark place’, 3rd June 2020
  • New Online Support Group for Family Carers of People with Dementia launched to alleviate increasing pressure points on stressed family carers caused by COVID-19, 25th May 2020
  • Diarmuid Gavin hosting online Tea Party to stand with people with dementia and their family carers to celebrate first ever Virtual Alzheimer’s Tea Day today, 7th May 2020
  • Dáithí Ó Sé and Sinead Kennedy invite nation to show solidarity with people with dementia and family carers to celebrate first ever Virtual Alzheimer’s Tea Day, 30th April 2020
  • Alzheimer National Helpline launches new free Dementia Nurse and Dementia Adviser call-back service to deal with increased need during COVID-19 crisis, 23rd April 2020
  • Lack of services due to COVID-19 leading to deterioration in the health of people with dementia likened to ‘falling off a cliff edge’ – new research, 1st April 2020
  • Devastating impact of Covid-19 highlighted as The Alzheimer Society of Ireland postpones Alzheimer’s Tea Day and launches urgent appeal for vital dementia supports, 25th March 2020
  • The Alzheimer Society of Ireland wants members of the public to celebrate strong women in our lives on this Mother’s Day with a difference, 20th March 2020
  • Inspirational teenager taking on 290km Galway-Dublin cycle to set wheels in motion for mammoth 3-Country Challenge to raise funds for dementia, 2nd March 2020
  • 141,200 people will be living with dementia in Ireland by 2050 – new Alzheimer Europe report, 18th February 2020
  • Stars align for Denim Day for Dementia: Sinead Kennedy, Terrie McEvoy and Niamh Cullen combine forces to support national fundraising campaign, 10th February 2020
  • Small numbers of candidates pledge to support dementia while people are living in crisis, 3rd February 2020
  • Almost 6,000 people contact Alzheimer National Helpline in stark reminder of crisis in people accessing dementia care, 27th January 2020
  • New Research by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (The ASI) and KBC Bank highlights need to support those living with dementia, 17th December 2019
  • Heavy Rain Has Dire Impact on Alzheimer’s Memory Ribbon Collection – Members of Public Urged to Please Text to Donate Instead, 21st November 2019
  • Love Island Winner Greg O’Shea Encouraging Public To Rally Behind Alzheimer’s Memory Ribbon Fundraising Campaign, 14th October 2019
  • Funding for 10 More Dementia Advisers in Budget 2020 First Step in Dealing with Inadequate and Glaring Gaps in Dementia Services Across Ireland After Years of Neglect, 9th October, 2019
  • Inspirational Advocate Kathy Ryan Voted as the New Chair of the Irish Dementia Working Group Following First National Gathering in Dublin, 23rd September 2019
  • World’s Largest Ever Dementia Survey Reveals that Investment is Desperately Needed in Ireland to Fund Service Gaps and Provide a Minimum Standard of Community Services, 20th September 2019
  • The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s Head of Operations Receives All-Star Thought Leader Award at All-Ireland Business Foundation Ceremony, 18th September 2019
  • Inspirational Dementia Advocate Kathy Ryan and Virgin Media’s Deric Ó hArtagáin Reuniting to Lead The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s Camino Adventure 2019, 11th September, 2019
  • Alzheimer’s Mobile Information Service to Bring Awareness, Support and Information About Dementia to the 88th National Ploughing Championships, 10th September, 2019
  • The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Delighted That Bluebird Care Ireland Will Proudly Support Tipperary v Limerick Hurling Legends Clash,  8th August, 2019
  • People with Dementia Tell Government: Stop Ignoring the Health Crisis of Our Time and Start Funding Vital Community Supports and Home Care in Budget 2020, 3rd July, 2019
  • Teacher from Donegal Taking Part in Solo 145km Three-Day ‘Home to Home’ Walk to Raise Funds and Awareness for People with Dementia – North and South of the Border, 1st July 2019
  • Inspirational Munster Dementia Advocates Calling on Public to Support Tipperary-Limerick Legends Clash of the Ash Fundraiser for The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, 16th June 2019
  • Author, Broadcaster and Carer Teena Gates Hopes to Inspire Other Family Carers to Advocate for Vital Community Supports Following Her Successful Online Campaign, 13th June 2019
  • Call For Local Election Candidates to Promote Dementia-Inclusive Communities and Support People Impacted by Dementia Who Are Struggling Across Ireland, 8th May, 2019
  • Minister for Health Simon Harris States ‘Really Important We Do Everything We Can’ to Raise Awareness of Dementia at National Tea Party to Celebrate 25 Years of Alzheimer’s Tea Day, 2nd May, 2019
  • Daithi O Se Invites the Nation to Tea to Mark 25th Anniversary of Alzheimer’s Tea Day Campaign, March 19th, 2019
  • The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s New Partners Capital Credit Union Making Staff and Members More Dementia Aware – Starting with Brain Awareness Week, March 12th, 2019
  • The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Launches Touching Real Life Stories of People with Dementia and Carers from AlzTalks Event, February 25th, 2019
  • Struggling carer of mother with Dementia who rang Joe Duffy Show for Help Stepping Up Campaign to Lobby Government to fund Local Day Care Centre, February 14th, 2019
  • Lifestyle, Travel and Fashion Blogger Louise Cooney Reaching Out to Younger Generation to be Dementia Aware and Support Denim Day Fundraiser, January 31st, 2019
  • People Living with Dementia in the Community are Lonely Because Society Does Not Facilitate their Inclusion or Understanding Finds New Research, January 28th, 2018
  • The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Hold Emergency Dementia Summit Calling on Government To Hear the Outcry For Dementia-Specific Funding in this HSE National Sevices Plan, November 28th 2018
  • The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s Nationwide Flag Day Collection Memory Ribbon Taking Place Across Ireland on November 22nd, November 9th, 2018
  • Pioneer of Dementia Advocacy Helen Rochford Brennan Receives Honorary Degree from NUI Galway,
    October 17th 2018
  • Tommy Fleming to Perform at Celebratory AlzTalks Event in Sligo with Touching Real Life Stories from People with Dementia and Carers, October 12th 2018
  • The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Frustrated with Lack of Dedicated Dementia Fund in Budget 2019, October 9th 2018
  • Government Urged to Allocate €2.31 Million to Roll Out Dementia Adviser Service Nationwide in Budget 2019 Following Release of HSE Evaluation Report, October 1st 2018
  • The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Calling on Government to Increase Dementia Research Funding to Mark World Alzheimer’s Day 2018, September 21st 2018
  • The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Launches New Collectible Cookbook ‘A Taste to Remember’ to Mark World Alzheimer’s Day 2018, September 21st 2018
  • Every Three Seconds Someone Develops Dementia – The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Supports World Alzheimer’s Month 2018 Campaign, September 1st 2018
  • High Court Order Preventing People with Dementia from Leaving Hospital Indicative of Broken Dementia Healthcare System, August 3rd 2018
  • Munster Dementia Carers Advocacy Network to Meet to Discuss Lack of Acceptable Levels of Dementia Support, July 19th 2018
  • The ASI welcomes news of Dormant Accounts funding for some dementia services and supports, July 17th 2018
  • Former Minister for Justice Nora Owen Issues Rallying Call for Fresh Investment in Community Supports for People Living with Dementia in Budget 2019, June 28th 2018
  • KBC’S Hub2Hub Extreme-800km Challenge to help raise awareness and funds for The Alzheimer Society of Ireland During Carers Week 2018, June 11th 2018
  • Extra Government Funding Required to Ensure Full Implementation of the National Dementia Strategy Following Mid-Term Review, May 24th 2018
  • Riverdance help to put the kettle on to celebrate The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Tea Day 2018, May 3rd 2018
  • Inequity of Access to Dementia Services Across Ireland Revealed in Dementia-Specific Community-Based Mapping Project, April 18th 2018
  • ‘Dancing with the Stars’ Judge Loraine Barry joins The Alzheimer Society of Ireland as their new Ambassador for Tea Day 2018, April 16th 2018
  • Daithi O Se says there are 55,000 good reasons to put the kettle on for The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s Tea Day on May 3rd, April 3rd 2018
  • The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Launches Regional Group for Dementia Carers’ Advocacy Network in Munster, March 26th 2018
  • A First for Irish Dementia Day Care as The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Introduces Paro the Therapeutic Robot to Persons with Dementia. March 8th 2018
  • The Orchard Respite Centre for People with Dementia to Reopen Under the Management of Mowlam Healthcare, February 22nd 2018
  • Dementia Advisers to Refer Persons with Dementia to Charter Medical’s Rapid Access Clinic Under New Partnership Agreement, February 8th 2018
  • Advocate Kathy Ryan and TV3 Presenter Deric Ó hArtagáin Will Lead The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s Camino Adventure, February 6th 2018
  • The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Ambassador Dave Kearney encouraging members of the public to support Denim Day for Dementia Fundraiser, January 31st 2018
  • Powerful video launched to educate healthcare professionals about supports needed when a person receives a dementia diagnosis, January 30th 2018

Facts & Figures

ABOUT DEMENTIA

  • There are 64,000 people with dementia in Ireland and the number of people with the condition will more than double in the next 25 years to over 150,000 by 2045.*
  • Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of conditions which cause changes and damage to the brain.
  • Dementia is progressive. There is currently no cure. Dementia is not simply a health issue but a social issue that requires a community response.
  • The majority of people with dementia (63%) live at home in the community. Over 180,000 people in Ireland are currently or have been carers for a family member or partner with dementia with many more providing support and care in other ways.
  • There are 11,000 new cases of dementia in Ireland each year. That’s at least 30 people every day and anyone can get dementia – even people in their 30s/40s/50s.**
  • 1 in 10 people diagnosed with dementia in Ireland are under 65.
  • The overall cost of dementia care in Ireland is just over €1.69 billion per annum; 48% of this is attributable to family care; 43% is accounted for by residential care; formal health and social care services contribute only 9% to the total cost.

Figures referenced to Cahill, S. & Pierce, M. (2013) The Prevalence of Dementia in Ireland
*Figure referenced from Alzheimer Europe (2020) Dementia in Europe Yearbook 2019 ‘Estimating the prevalence of dementia in Europe’
**Figure referenced from Pierce, T., O’Shea, E. and Carney P. (2018) Estimates of the prevalence, incidence and severity of dementia in Ireland.

 

Media Guidelines – Language

  • Language is our most powerful means of communicating. Simply using the correct language engenders trust. Never is this more the case than the language we use when talking about medical issues – particularly Alzheimer’s disease/dementia.
  • Media stories on Alzheimer disease/dementia contribute significantly to the public’s awareness and knowledge of the condition. Increased community understanding about dementia makes the step to seeking diagnosis or support so much easier for the many people with concerns about memory loss.
  • The more that other people understand their experience, the better the quality of life for people living with dementia. Importantly, positive public images have a multiplier effect on tackling the fear and stigma surrounding Alzheimer’s disease/dementia and help make the issue one that people are more encouraged to acknowledge and address.
  • By publishing these guidelines, the Alzheimer Society of Ireland is not attempting to police the language others use – it is merely intended as a guide for using language in a more sensitive manner that avoids reducing individuals with Alzheimer’s disease/dementia to a series of labels, symptoms, or medical terms. We hope it will promote consistency across the dementia care sector and be a reference for others to use.
  • These guidelines are intended to highlight how words and language really do make a difference. Click here to read more about dementia friendly language.

Infographics

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