Commissioned Research Reports and Publications
Please note this this list is not exhaustive.
● Evaluation of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s Day Care at Home Service (2023)
Commissioned by ASI and undertaken by Dr. Emma O’Shea, Ms Mary Faherty, Ms Laura Somers and Professor Suzanne Timmons from the Centre for Gerontology and Rehabilitation at University College Cork.
This report details the findings of the external evaluation of The ASI’s Day Care at Home Service. The research team used a qualitative research design to understand the experiences and viewpoints of many different groups with a stake in the service, including people with dementia, family carers, ASI staff and management, primary care professionals, and HSE officials. They carried out in-depth interviews and a series of home visits across the country to observe Day Care at Home in action.
Read the full report here.
Read the plain language summary here.
● The Experience of Dementia in Ireland: A Snapshot in Time (2023)
Undertaken by The ASI
The Experience of Dementia in Ireland: A Snapshot in Time captures the experience of living with dementia in Ireland in 2023, highlighting the multi-faceted and complex challenges facing those affected by the condition.
The new research was carried out in early summer 2023 with almost 670 people, including both carers and people living with dementia. Many people are struggling with issues such as burnout, isolation, mental and physical health against the backdrop of the Cost of Living Crisis. This national research illustrates the scale of need and the increasing demand for services nationwide.
Read the full report HERE.
Read the Plain Language Summary HERE.
● Harnessing community information and support for people with young onset dementia and their families: Guidance for community groups and healthcare professionals (2022)
Commissioned by ASI and undertaken by Drs. Caroline Kilty, Catriona Curtin & Siobhan Fox in University College Cork
On World Alzheimer’s Day 2022, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (The ASI) launches guidance for community groups and healthcare professionals to enhance accessibility and inclusivity to people with Young Onset Dementia (YOD) and their families.
This guidance document presents practical recommendations that community groups or healthcare professionals can use to consider the needs of people with young onset dementia under four central themes:
- Awareness and training
- Individualised and social supports tailored to the person’s needs and preferences
- Mapping and signposting of community supports
- Making community supports more accessible for people with young onset dementia
Read the Guidance Document Here.
Read the Report Here.
● Evaluation of Day Care at Home (March 2021)
This evaluation was conducted by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Research and Policy team with support from The ASI Operations Team.
Following the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, all 48 Day Care Centres and face to face supports were temporarily closed. An alternative suite of service were required to meet the needs of people with dementia and those who care for them. Day Care at Home was set up to provide an interim alternative model of care and support to people who use ASI services and families to address the absence of the Day Care Centres.
This evaluation has sought to assess and understand the impact of this service for people who use ASI services and staff. Findings indicate that family carers highly value this service, perceiving it as an essential source of support, respite and reassurance.
Read the ‘Evaluation of Day Care at Home’ report HERE.
● A Year of Caring and Coping with Dementia During Covid-19 (April, June 2021)
This research was conducted by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Research and Policy team with support from The ASI Operations Team.
One year after the cessation of services due to COVID-19, this follow-up research builds on our understanding of how those affected by dementia continue to care and cope amid deficient and sparse service provision.
Findings include:
- 81% of respondents were concerned about a decline in the person with dementia
- 54% of family carers reported a decline in their mental health, and 40% a decline in their physical health
- 54% of family carers were worried about how they will continue to cope, with 44% feeling less able to cope
- 28% of family carers reported considering a move to long term care for the person with dementia, with 65% saying that this has become a consideration sooner due to the pandemic.
Read ‘Caring and Coping with Dementia During Covid-19’ report HERE.
Read our Summary Document HERE.
● Evaluation of the Role and Contribution of Dementia-specific Day Care Services in the evolving Dementia Care Landscape (April, 2020)
The study was grant funded by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland.
This study aimed to develop a greater understanding of the role and contribution of day care in supporting people living with dementia in the community and their family carers. The insights consolidated in this report can support strategic and operational decision making and service development within ASI and can also inform wider dementia policy and practice in Ireland.
● Caring and Coping with Dementia During Covid-19 (April, 2020)
The research was conducted by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Research and Policy team
The second research report produced on the issue, ‘Caring and Coping with Dementia During Covid-19’ further highlights the crisis aftermath of life in lockdown which has taken an enormous toll on people’s lives resulting in carers facing crisis with extra workloads, constant anxiety and exhaustion. Results present the views of people with dementia, family carers, ASI Dementia Advisers and the ASI National Helpline.
Read Plain Language Summary HERE.
● Covid-19: Impact & Need for People with Dementia and Family Carers (2020)
The research was conducted by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Research and Policy team.
Special report for The ASI Sub-Committee on Alternative Supports for Covid-19. This report summarises the results of three surveys that were distributed to people living with dementia, family carers, and Community Champions (Understand Together). Results are presented for each individual cohort: People living with dementia, Family Carers, and Community Champions.
● Dementia & Loneliness (2019)
Policy Position Paper commissioned by ASI and undertaken by UCC
We have published a new policy position paper ‘Dementia and Loneliness’ that reflects the experiences of loneliness for people living with dementia, how loneliness can be attributed to a lack of supports and services, and the public awareness and understanding of dementia.
● De-Stress: A study to assess the health & wellbeing of spousal carers of people with dementia in Ireland (2017)
Commissioned by ASI and undertaken by TCD
De-Stress is the largest study of its kind in Ireland to explore the health and wellbeing of family carers of people with dementia. To carry out the study, researchers at Trinity College Dublin surveyed more than 200 people who were caring for their spouse with dementia.
● A National Dementia Registry for Ireland (2016)
Policy Report commissioned by ASI and undertaken by DCU
This report, commissioned under The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s expert policy series, provides much needed information on the feasibility of developing a dementia registry within the Irish context.
Further List of Publications
- Brain Health & Dementia Prevention in Ireland: A Discussion Paper (2015) Commissioned by ASI and undertaken by the Institute of Public Health. Read report here
- Creating Excellence in Dementia Care (2012) Suzanne Cahill (DSIDC), Eamon O’ Shea (NUIG) & Maria Pierce (DSIDC). Read report here
- Financing Dementia (2012) Dominic Trépel (University of York) Read report here
- Continuing to Care for People with Dementia: Irish family carers’ experience of their relative’s transition to a nursing home (2011) Professor Murna Downes in conjunction with St Lukes Home and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. Read report here
- Opening Conversations (2011) Dr Una McConville (University of Bath) in Conjunction with ASI. Read report here
- An Economic Perspective of Dementia Care in Ireland: Maximising Benefits and Maintaining Cost Efficiency (2010)Read report here (Full Version), Read report summary here
- Social Space, Equal Space: The Social Club Model of Dementia Care (2008)Published by ASI. Read guidelines for setting up a social club here
- Implementing Policy for Dementia Care in Ireland: The Time for Action is Now (2007) Commissioned by ASI and undertaken by NUIG. Read report here
- Perceptions of Stigma in Dementia: An Exploratory Study (2006) Commissioned by ASI and undertaken by TCD.Read report here
- Early Onset Dementia: A Needs Analysis of Younger People with Dementia in Ireland (2005) Commissioned by ASI and undertaken by Trutz Haase. Read report here