The document summarizes the work of the Living Well with Dementia project between 2012-2015. It provides testimonials from family members who benefited from supports including information sessions, respite care, social activities, and volunteer companions. The project delivered education, respite care, social supports, and volunteer involvement to improve the lives of people with dementia and their caregivers in the community. It helped many families provide care at home and reduced isolation through group activities and individual volunteer visits.

1. Living Well with Dementia
Stillorgan-Blackrock
2012-2015
Family Testimonials
“Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”

2. Logo in separate box
+ scaleable to suit layout
“Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”

3. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
‘The Living Well with Dementia project is the best run and best
targeted programme that I have ever come across. I have no
doubt that Sheila would be in a home now without their support.
It is a very uplifting organisation, practical, caring of both the
person with dementia and the carers. I have always felt supported
and understood. I could not speak more highly of the project and
the personnel. It provides a quality of service way beyond my
expectation.’
Désirée O’Rourke – Sheila’s sister

4. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
AWARENESS & EDUCATION FOR
FAMILIES
Between 2012-2015, the project delivered :
•19 family carer information events (70+ family members/ event)
•Family carer intensive training (6-week)
•2 Healthy Food Made Easy programme (6-weeks)
•2 Exhibitions
• Assistive Technology
• Health-care supports in community

5. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
‘Having the complete team from the GP down, all
together in the one room, was great and you could chat
with whichever member of the team you wished’
Sinead Duffy – family carer
AWARENESS & EDUCATION

6. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
‘There was an opportunity to discuss and address any aspect of
care or concern which arose for the carer. Also, any issue that
could not be addressed at information evenings was followed up
as soon as possible. All the talks were very practical and very
informative.’
Mary McGlinchey –family carer
‘The health professionals attending these meetings were very
helpful and willing to answer questions and give information
freely.’
Aisling Guckian – family carer
AWARENESS & EDUCATION

7. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
AWARENESS & EDUCATION

8. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
‘By educating us about dementia we became more qualified, more
understanding and better carers so it was a win-win situation. We
became much happier and confident carers’
Patricia Craddock Smith – family carer
‘The talks were very encouraging and supportive and I did not
feel so isolated knowing that many families were having similar
experiences’
Mary Daly – family carer
AWARENESS & EDUCATION

9. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
‘The Healthy Food
Made Easy course
rejuvenated my interest
in cooking. I now cook
a range of healthy
dishes for my wife and
me.
I learnt a great deal
and had such fun with
the group’
John Dowling–
Joan’s husband
AWARENESS & EDUCATION

10. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
RESPITE CARE
Between 2013-2015 the LWwD project supported:
•12,216 hours of in-home respite to 23 people with dementia.
•The respite ranged from 3 hours to 19 hours per week.
•The project supported 2 people to remain at home to end of life.
•The project supported 3 people to return home from hospital.
•The project also provide planned respite for families to take a break
or attend a family event.
•The project provided emergency respite in case of a family
emergency.

11. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
‘Day care and respite care has been a life saver for
me without which I could not have looked after my
wife Mary for so long’
John McGuire – Mary’s husband
RESPITE CARE

12. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
‘Through Living Well with Dementia we have been put
in touch with day-care in Blackrock also following his
hospital stay we have a homecare package in place. I
would not have known about this help if I had not
attended your meetings.’
Roberta Cochrane – Rodney’s wife
‘I want to record my deep appreciation for support that my
wife, myself and the children are receiving from the project.
For the first time in many months, I can begin to make
regular plans as a result of the flexible monthly home-care
support’
Husband of person with dementia.
RESPITE CARE

13. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
‘My husband Donal enjoyed the visits from the carers. It
added variety to his routine and it gave me freedom to do
housework, go shopping or meet friends’
Mary Daly - wife of late Donal
RESPITE CARE

14. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
‘At home Barbara was surrounded by family and
friends and felt safe in the knowledge that she was not
just A patient but THE patient. The smile on her face
the first morning after she came home from the
hospital was beatific and said it all. It is an image that
will stay with me and comfort me for the rest of my life.
The final months of her life were comfortable,
dignified and full of happy times’
Hugh Lavery – husband of the late Barbara
RESPITE CARE

15. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
SOCIAL SUPPORTS
Between 2013-2015 the LWwD project introduced a range of community based
social activities.
These was delivered with the support of a team of dedicated volunteers.
•2 Musical Memories choirs
• 60+ members
• Partnership with HSE/ DLR Arts & Health
•2 Exercises Groups
• 70+ members
• Partnered with Siel Bleu
•Bridge Group
•Creative Writing – with support of Blackrock library and HSE Primary Care Team (8 participants)
•Art-Appreciation – partnered with DLR Coco Arts office in DLR LexIcon (sustained)
•Art group – 9 participants with dementia.

16. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
‘The choir has given Marie a new lease of life. The
Dementia seems to vanish for some time before, during
and after the choir’
Dr Con Power – Marie’s husband
SOCIAL SUPPORTS
‘Musical Memories is so much a part of our Saturday and now
we really look forward to it; It has been a wonderful success’
Aisling Guckian – Tom’s wife

17. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
SOCIAL SUPPORTS

18. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
SOCIAL SUPPORTS

19. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
‘The Tuesday exercise class gave my husband great pleasure - it
was lovely to see the smile on my husband’s face as he did the
exercises. The project took away the isolation of feeling so alone
in dealing with the dementia. My husband died in April 2015
and I am so glad we were able to take part in the project and I
shall treasure the memories.’
Olive Bain – wife of the late Alan
SOCIAL SUPPORTS

20. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
SOCIAL SUPPORTS

21. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
‘The creative writing course
was brilliant and it would be
great if it would start up
again. The social interaction
and stimulation were great’
Jane Mullan – Sean’s wife
SOCIAL SUPPORTS

22. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
SOCIAL SUPPORTS

23. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer Snap-shot (2014 -2015)
No of volunteers : 41
Volunteer hrs : >5,300
29 families received in-home befriending
23 volunteers supported activities
Profile of volunteers:
•Age range : 22 – 75
•Working, Job-seekers, Retired
•Sourced through parishes, active retirement,
libraries
•Active citizens in community
•Ambassadors for person with dementia

24. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
‘Paddy looks forward eagerly to his outing with his “friend”
on a Wednesday. This is a very special day in the week, he
gets up in the morning wondering what they will do and
always comes home full of the joys of Spring and is
stimulated. He sits down and writes it up in his journal. It
also gives me a break to do some necessary “catch up” or even
meet a friend and have a coffee.’
Sinéad Duffy – Paddy’s wife
VOLUNTEER SUPPORT

25. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
‘For me, the most helpful support has been my two wonderful men, Michael &
Joe who faithfully come to take Denis out every week. It is the only male
company he has and they are a God-send
My husband is profoundly deaf which together with his dementia makes him
completely isolated. We have tried other social supports but ceased because of his
poor hearing. However, the 2 men who visit him on separate days and take him
out for a walk have really worked.
’
Marie Wynne – Denis’ wife
VOLUNTEER SUPPORT

26. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
‘When I was asked “what would you Mum need?” I jokingly
said – “a dog”. Christine and Frankie’s (a highland terrier)
visits have made such a difference. They call once a week,
sometimes sit and chat with Frankie on Mum’s knee which
she loves, or if the weather is fine they go for a stroll. Since the
visits we have noticed how alert Mum has become and she
really looks forward to their visits’.
Geraldine Davidson – family carer
VOLUNTEER SUPPORT

27. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
The LWwD project could not have succeeded without enormous support from
the local community. This support ranged from :
•Consortium Support (Community & Hospital Health Service, People with dementia and their families,
voluntary organisations, statutory organisations.)
•Benefit in Kind
• Premises (schools, clubs)
• Time (healthcare staff)
• Fundraising (local shops, schools)
• Funding of Exercise Group
•Reconnection with Clubs
• Walking groups, gold clubs, Men’s sheds, garden clubs.
•Information & Educations (supported by members of Primary Care Teams)
• Tailored training for Schools and community groups
• Information stands in public areas
• Community awareness events
• Drop-in clinics for people worried about their memory

28. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
The Elves &
Community Guards at
the Christmas Party
COMMUNITY SUPPORT

29. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
Dun Laoghaire
Rathdown Citizens
“Pledges of Support for
a Dementia Friendly
Community”
COMMUNITY SUPPORT

30. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Healthcare staff
answer questions
about memory
concerns at public
locations

31. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Fundraises were
held by shops and
schools.

32. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
SOCIAL EVENTS

33. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
“Sociability is very important –
interaction with people is good
for your mental and physical
well-being – sure you’d fade
into the wall-paper if you just
stayed at home” – Ambrose
Cassells, who has dementia
SOCIAL EVENTS

34. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
SOCIAL EVENTS

35. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
SOCIAL EVENTS

36. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
GOING FORWARD

37. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
‘The support programmes like Living Well with
Dementia are invaluable to the person with dementia
and to the families. It is a very isolating illness and the
families can feel very cut off from society. The project
gives a real sense of community involvement and
belonging and it’s a necessity in our daily lives.’
Leonie & John Woods
GOING FORWARD

38. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
‘The Living Well project
gives hope for the future
and reassurance that you
are not alone’
Maura O’Meara – family carer
GOING FORWARD

39. “Be a part of changing our community to see the person and not the dementia”
GOING FORWARD
“They are just like any of us – just because the mans
has dementia, it doesn’t mean that he stops walking,
or going to Mass or doing any of the things he always
liked to do” Frank Tracy – Kilmacud Walking
Group”