Tralee Dementia-Friendly Interagency Group Launch Inclusive Design Guide

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The  Tralee Dementia Friendly Interagency Group launching the booklet.

THE Tralee Dementia Friendly Interagency Group has launched an inclusive design booklet which to aims  to provide tips and advice for the community on ensuring accessibility for everyone including those with dementia and other cognitive and sensory impairments.

There are currently circa 64,142 people with dementia living in Ireland, a number which is estimated to increase significantly over the next 10-20 years.

Tralee Dementia Friendly Interagency Group was established in May 2019 with the aim of raising awareness of dementia in Tralee.

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It is an interagency group with representatives from a wide spectrum of the community including the HSE, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, Tralee Chamber Alliance, 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 on the group.

Some of the initiatives undertaken by the group include a ‘Tips for Friends, neighbours, businesses and service providers’ information card and dementia awareness and inclusive design training for businesses.

September is World Alzheimers month and to coincide with this Tralee Dementia Friendly Interagency group are publishing a ‘Tips on Inclusive Design’ booklet.

This booklet aims to provide tips and advice for the community on ensuring accessibility for everyone including those with dementia and other cognitive and sensory impairments.

The booklet provides some useful and easy to implement tips that will enhance the inclusiveness of our community and make it more welcoming for those with memory difficulties.

The guide provides tips and advice on how businesses and organisations can examine their physical environment toensure it is meeting the needs of people with dementia.

David Scott, Tralee Chamber Alliance said ”the booklet is very practical and said businesses will welcome the advice and support in ensuring their businesses/properties are inclusive”

Michael Fitzgerald, Chief Officer for Cork Kerry Community Healthcare acknowledged the importance of raising awareness around dementia.

“The Inclusive Community Booklet is an important step towards achieving a dementia friendly town and initiatives, such as designing inclusive  environments  can support  people with dementia to remain active in our communities which is integral to maintaining independence.”

The Tralee Dementia Friendly Forum encourages everyone to share responsibility for ensuring that people with dementia feel understood, valued and able to contribute to their community.

The group encourages everyone to read the booklet both for the information it contains and also as an opportunity to start a conversation about DementiaIf you would like more information regards the booklet or inclusive design please contact Catherine Murphy, Occupational therapist in the Memory Technology Resource Room on 0867809989 or by email to Catherine@bailemhuire.ie Further details will also be available at https://tralee.ie/dementia-friendly-tralee/

 

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