The Irish Dementia Working Group (IDWG) and the Dementia Carers Campaign Network (DCCN), supported by The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (The ASI), are advocacy groups for those who have experience of living with dementia, or experience of caring for, or supporting, someone with dementia. Recently, advocates from both groups met with the HSE’s (Health Service Executive) National Dementia Office for a consultation on the Draft Model of Care for Dementia in Ireland. The ASI was delighted to support this engagement and to enable people living with dementia and their carers and supporters to have their voices heard in this important consultation.
Dr Emer Begley, Acting General Manager of the National Dementia Office, and Dr Fiona Keogh of the Centre for Economic and Social Research on Dementia, National University of Ireland (NUI) Galway, hosted the focus groups. The advocates were supplied with a summary draft document, and they shared their thoughts on the contents, drawing on their lived experience to inform their responses. Although the model has already gone through rigorous consideration by the authors and stakeholders, including people affected by dementia, The ASI’s advocacy groups were delighted to have the opportunity to add their experience to the recommendations before the document is agreed and published.
The model was developed by the National Dementia Office in conjunction with the Centre for Economic and Social Research on Dementia in NUI Galway, and the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre. It is informed by the work and outputs of diagnostic and post-diagnostic projects led by the National Dementia Office between 2017-2019 and by an expert Advisory group (which included a representative from both the IDGW and the DCCN), and consultations with key stakeholders. For more information on the Irish Dementia Working Group or the Dementia Carers Campaign Network, or to join one of these advocacy groups, please visit the Creating Change tab of www.alzheimer.ie, email advocacy@alzheimer.ie, or follow @IrishDementiaWG and @DCCNIRL on Twitter.
