The ASI and Mallow Chamber join forces for dementia-inclusive community event
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (The ASI) in association with Mallow Chamber of Commerce, will host a Dementia- Inclusive Community event — encouraging people, businesses and services in Mallow to create a more nurturing and accepting environment for people living with dementia and their families in the community – later this month in the town.
People with dementia are among the most marginalised and can often face social exclusion and stigma. To address this issue, Dementia Inclusive Communities, an initiative of The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s Friends of ASI, aims to invite community members and people living with dementia, to help make their communities more dementia-inclusive.
The ASI is pleased to have the support of the Mallow Chamber of Commerce, who have committed to actively engaging on all Friends of ASI Mallow initiatives and promoting them to its members.
This free event at The Hibernian Hotel (7-9pm) on Thursday, 25th January, will feature speakers such as The ASI Head of Operations and Community Engagement, Siobhan O'Connor; The ASI
Dementia adviser for North Cork, Amy Murphy and chair of The Irish Dementia Working Group, Dr Kevin Quaid. Light refreshments will also be provided throughout the evening.
Speaking ahead of the event, Estelle Varney, of Mallow Chamber of Commerce, said: "We are so pleased to support The Alzheimer Society of Ireland as we strive to make Mallow a more inclusive, supportive and understanding place for individuals living with dementia. The importance of creating dementia-inclusive communities cannot be overstated. Mallow Chamber encourages all local residents, businesses and organisations to join this dementia inclusive community event in support of people living with the condition."
This is the second ASI-led dementia-inclusive event in Cork, following the successful dementia-inclusive evening in Macroom in April 2023. An estimated 7,509 people live with dementia in Cork, and 63% of people with dementia live in the community in Ireland.
"Events like this help shine a light on dementia which affects so many people in Cork and across Ireland,” commented Dr Kevin Quaid, chair of The Irish Dementia Working Group. “It is so important that people living with this condition feel safe and supported in their communities. My dream is to see every village and town in Ireland become dementia inclusive and I look forward to sharing my lived experience with the people of Mallow on Thursday, 25th January."
In August, Minister of State at the Department of Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD, officially opened The ASI’s new Dementia-Specific Day Centre in the St Mary’s Centre in Mallow. While in November, The ASI launched Mahon Point as the first dementia-inclusive shopping centre in Ireland.
For more information about the Dementia-Inclusive Community event, contact Laura Curtin at friendsofasi@ alzheimer.ie or 086 8537043.