Our vision is of a community that respects, supports and empowers people with dementia; a community in which people with dementia are socially and culturally valued; a community where people with dementia still actively participate in a safe environment.
Welcome to the Living Well with Dementia Project in Stillorgan – Blackrock, Co. Dublin
This is a three year community-based pilot project to support people with dementia in the Stillorgan-Blackrock area to continue to live at home and participate in their own community. It commenced in October 2012. A Living Well with Dementia consortium was formed to devise and deliver the project. The team is comprised of people with dementia, their primary carers and representatives from community groups, volunteer organisations, local businesses, health and social care and statutory and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs).
Dementia is the 2nd largest adult health concern globally. In Ireland, the level of dementia is projected to more than triple over the next 25 years (from 40,000 to 140,000 people). Our community in Stillorgan-Blackrock has the highest national urban prevalence of dementia (approx. 700 people).
The pilot project trials new ways to support people with dementia who are living in the community and those who care for them. The aim is to enable people to continue to live in their own homes for as long as possible. All members of the Stillorgan-Blackrock community – shops, schools, clubs, recreational groups and businesses – are invited to join healthcare professionals and play a role. If successful, we hope that this pilot will influence national policy on the care of people with dementia, improving the lives of tens of thousands of people throughout Ireland.
Family Testimonials
You can watch a short slideshow presentation by clicking on the following link:
Some examples of the supports we offer include:
- Information for people with dementia and family members
- Direct supports and respite for people with dementia
- Development of activities for people with dementia
- Raising awareness about dementia and mobilising support among the community
- Working with local businesses/groups to help make Stillorgan-Blackrock a dementia-friendly place to live.
Please share your thoughts.
Creative Writing Group
In February and March, the Creative Writing group for people with dementia and their families met each week in the Blackrock Library meeting room. The first of its kind in Ireland, the group created characters and discussed themes, shared their own works and produced a collective poem. The Wood in our Senses (Read the poem here).