Friends of ASI – Dementia Inclusive Communities
Our Friends of ASI Dementia Inclusive Communities initiative is currently being rolled out across Ireland.
Friends of ASI aims to encourage people, businesses and services to create a more nurturing and accepting environment for those with the condition and their families. The initative includes training, awareness, education and services.
Spearheaded by local Friends of ASI volunteers, with the support of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Friends of ASI aims to build a dementia inclusive community, where individuals with dementia and their loved ones are welcomed, understood and supported.
By educating ourselves and working together, we can help people affected by dementia in our communities and break down the stigma that surrounds the condition.
Who can be a Friend of ASI?
Anyone and everyone!
A Friend of ASI learns more about dementia and transforms that understanding and awareness into meaningful action that supports people living with dementia in their community. Every step, whether big or small, counts.
If you’re eager to help those with dementia in your community, you’re already on the right track!
Friends of ASI and Understand Together
Friends of ASI is working alongside the HSE’s Dementia: Understand Together campaign. Dementia: Understand Together, a national partnership between The ASI, HSE, Age Friendly Ireland, Age & Opportunity, Dementia Services Information and Development Centre, and Healthy Ireland, encourages community members and people living with dementia to make their communities more dementia-inclusive.
What is a Dementia Inclusive Community?
People living with dementia are among the most marginalised in our society and can often face social exclusion and stigma.
A Dementia Inclusive Community is one which can be described as a city, town or village where people with dementia are understood, respected and supported, and confident they can contribute to community life. In a Dementia Inclusive Community, people will be aware of and understand dementia, and people with dementia will feel included and involved, and have choice and control over their day-to-day lives.
Through empathy, support and collective effort, we can ensure that people living with dementia have a voice and a space in their community. I believe by working together, there is no limit to what we can achieve.
Head of Operations and Community Engagement, Siobhan O'Connor
Where are Friends of ASI building Dementia Inclusive Communities?
My dream is to see every village and town in Ireland become dementia inclusive.
Kevin Quaid, Chair of The Irish Dementia Working Group
We are rolling out our Friends of ASI dementia inclusive community development initiative across Ireland. To date, we have launched Friends of ASI in:
- Macroom and Mallow, Co. Cork
- Carlow Town, Co. Carlow
- Cavan Town, Co. Cavan
- Drogheda, Co. Louth
- Ratoath, Co. Meath
- Nenagh, Co. Tipperary
- Dungarvan, Co. Waterford
- Mullingar, Co. Westmeath
- Riverchapel, Co. Wexford
Find out more about our local Friends of ASI here.
Mahon Point: The First Dementia Inclusive-Shopping Centre in Ireland
Floored with excitment! The Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Mahon Point Shopping Centre officially launched the first dementia-inclusive shopping centre in Ireland in November 2023.
For people living with dementia, their support networks extend beyond traditional villages, towns, and cities. These networks can also include shopping centres, community services or national organisations.
In 2023, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland launched Mahon Point, Co. Cork as the first dementia-inclusive shopping centre in Ireland. Cllr. Kieran McCarthy, Lord Mayor of Cork City, Alzheimer Society of Ireland clients and their families, and Mahon Point Shopping Centre retailers were all present.
Following the launch, over 70 staff members from different businesses and the management team at Mahon Point underwent a two day series of Dementia Induction Training Sessions. Each month, our clients from Bessboro Day Centre enjoy an enjoyable outing at Mahon Point Shopping Centre.
Mahon Point also donned their Denims for Dementia in 2024.
For more information on dementia inclusive shopping centres, email [email protected]
Watch: Mahon Point Becomes the First-Dementia-Inclusive Shopping Centre in Ireland!
Friends of ASI in the News
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Do you have an interest in learning more about dementia and turning that awareness into action? We'd love to hear from you! Whether it's volunteering, fundraising, engaging in dementia awareness training or simply keeping up to date with what Friends of ASI is doing, there are many ways you can get involved and help to build a dementia inclusive community. We will support you along the way!
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Check out our other Community Engagement initiatives which play an integral role in our mission to build dementia inclusive communities:
Creating a Dementia Inclusive Generation TY Programme