Carlow people are invited to help build a Dementia-Inclusive Community by the ASI

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland Invites Carlow to Build a Dementia-Inclusive Community

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (The ASI) announces it will host a Dementia Inclusive Community event at Woodford Dolmen Hotel, Carlow at 7.30 pm on Thursday, 18th April. This event aims to encourage people, businesses, and services in Carlow to become Friends of ASI, and create a dementia-inclusive community.

People with dementia are among the most marginalised and can often face social exclusion and stigma. Dementia Inclusive Communities, an initiative of The ASI’s Friends of ASI (FOA), aims to address this by aiding towns to become nurturing spaces for people with dementia and their families.

The upcoming event highlights The ASI's dedication to supporting those affected by dementia in Co. Carlow. In March, The ASI and Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler TD celebrated the refurbishment of its Dementia-Specific Day Care Centre and garden in Bethany House.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s Head of Operations and Community Engagement, Siobhan O’Connor, said: “As we bring our Friends of ASI programme to Co. Carlow, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland remains committed to creating a community of dementia-inclusivity. No effort is too big or small – we encourage everyone to join us at our upcoming event as we strive to create a community where people living with dementia feel heard, understood and valued.”

This initiative is working alongside the HSE’s Dementia: Understand Together campaign. Dementia: Understand Together, a national partnership between The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, HSE, Age Friendly Ireland, Age & Opportunity, Dementia Services Information and Development Centre, and Healthy Ireland, invites community members and people living with dementia to make their communities more dementia-inclusive.

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland previously hosted similar events in Cavan, Westmeath, Cork, and Waterford. In November 2023, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland launched Mahon Point Shopping Centre as the first dementia-inclusive shopping centre in Ireland.

63% of people with dementia live in the community in Ireland.

Woodford Dolmen Hotel is located at Kilkenny Road, Carlow, Co. Carlow, R93 N207.

For more information about the Dementia-Inclusive Community event, please contact friendsofasi@alzheimer.ie