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Launching the Dementia Friendly Tralee initiative at The Imperial Hotel on Friday morning were Derek Carroll of The Imperial, Dolores McElligott, Garda Mary Gardiner, Michael Fitzgerald HSE, Eibhlís Cahalane HSE, Aidan Kelly and David Scott of Tralee Chamber Alliance. Photo by Dermot Crean
A NEW dementia information card which will move Tralee towards becoming more dementia friendly was launched today (Friday) at The Imperial Hotel.
The Tralee Dementia Friendly Community Information card is an initiative by the Tralee Dementia Friendly Community Forum, an inter-agency group which involves the HSE, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, Tralee Chamber Alliance and others.
The Tralee Dementia Friendly Community Information card prompts people to remain in contact with both the person with dementia and their families/carers, it also provides some tips specific to businesses to ensure their environments are dementia friendly.
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Some of the tips and advice in the wallet-sized card include;
• Remember a visit can often give the carer a little time to themselves’
• ‘‘With your help, people with dementia can continue to take part in their local communities.
They can go to a GAA match, an ICA meeting, sing in a choir, or whatever they like doing’
Some of the business tips include:
• ‘Be aware of the environment as background noise can affect communication. A quiet space may be needed for the person to work in’
• ‘Consider having a no-hurry check out or queue’
The information card provides local contact details and directs people to useful websites, it has been edited by the National Adult Literacy Agency to ensure it meets literacy standards and hence is accessible for all.
These cards will be distributed throughout the businesses in Tralee and provided to the public in various settings in the town.
Michael Fitzgerald, HSE Assistant National Director, Older People and Palliative Care Strategy officially launched the card.
“The Tralee Dementia Friendly Community Information card is a great practical way of raising awareness of dementia and facilitating both the public and business staff to continue to assist people with dementia. It reminds us of the importance of maintaining links with carers and family members and the role that we as the friends and neighbours play in ensuring both the person with dementia and their families are helped to maintain and contribute to an active life in their community. This card, which is compliant with adult literacy guidelines, ensures it is user friendly to all and opens the conversation amongst everyone as to what we can do to support people with memory deficits and dementia to remain living independently and safely in their communities,” he said.
The Tralee Dementia Friendly Community Forum is made up of representatives from the HSE National Office for Services for Older Persons; Cork Kerry Community Healthcare Community Work department; Kerry County Council; an Garda Siochana, the local GAA; and representatives from voluntary and statutory agencies. Family members of people with dementia and local groups for Older Persons are also represented.
The group’s aim is to promote awareness of dementia and to support businesses in their interactions with people with dementia and memory deficits.
The Dementia Friendly Forum encourages everyone to share responsibility for ensuring that people with dementia feel understood, valued and able to contribute to their community. It demonstrates an excellent model of partnership and collaboration and indicates to locals, new residents and visitors that Tralee as a Dementia Friendly Community is welcoming place in which to connect with others and do business
David Scott from Tralee Chamber Alliance commented that they are delighted to be part of this very important initiative. The Business sector in Tralee realise the significance that dementia has for their customers and are very enthusiastic to work with other agencies to play their part in ensuring their customer service is dementia friendly.
Such a kind initiative. Thank you.