Project Overview

South Tipperary received funding to develop a new and innovative dementia project in 2012 for three years. This project was jointly funded by Atlantic Philanthropies and the HSE through the Genio Trust. Genio is a non-profit organisation that focuses on supporting and stimulating social innovation that brings about lasting change.

This project was led by a consortium of people with various interests in the area of dementia. This consortium includes people with dementia, carers, The Alzheimer’s Society, The Carer’s Assoc., Muintir na Tire, The South Tipperary Community & Voluntary Forum, a G.P. representative and HSE staff.

5 Steps to Living Well with Dementia
in South Tipperary

We want to transform the life experience of people with dementia and their families in South Tipperary. We want to increase public awareness, dispel myths, reduce stigma and encourage people to come forward earlier for diagnosis and treatment. We want to emphasize that dementia is something you live with, not necessarily something you die of and we want to help people with dementia to live enriched and happy lives. For some families a diagnosis of dementia is like a death sentence. We want to transform that perception with information and support. But most of all we want to provide flexible person-centred care in the home to allow people to continue living at home for as long as is possible.

Step 1 Pre-Diagnosis

This step aims to raise awareness in the general public about dementia, dispelling myths and attempting to reduce stigma. We held an art competition for secondary school students in South Tipperary to design our 5 Steps project logo, which is the symbol of the project. We have designed a lapel pin bearing the project logo to promote dementia awareness. A strategic media campaign is underway, involving local radio, Tipp FM and Tipperary Mid West radio, as well as local and national newspapers to promote participation and inclusion in the project. This website will provide an ongoing point of contact for people with dementia and their families alike.


Community Connector
We have recruited a Community Connector to work with organisations across the county to raise awareness about dementia and about the services and supports being provided by the project. She is engaging with day centres, active retirement groups, mens sheds, sports groups, the churches, primary care teams and health centres and pharmacies among others. As part of the Bealtaine Festival she ran pop up information centres in all the libraries across South Tipperary. Health promotion is an important priority in this step. We are working with the Sports Partnership and HSE Health Promotion to promote the value of diet and exercise in living well with dementia for people with dementia and their carers alike.

Our Community Connector is also working individually with people to help them to return to activities they had previously enjoyed or to find new interests  and involvement  in community activities that they would enjoy, to allow them to remain visible and included in their own communities. Our Community Connector would welcome enquiries from community groups or organisations and would be delighted to help you to engage with the services available within your locality.

Volunteers
A volunteer arm of the project has been developed in conjunction with The Carers Association. All volunteers have received specific dementia training and have garda clearance.  Volunteers can be of great support to a person living with dementia and their families and the Carers Association is part of the project consortium. Volunteers can be accessed through

Lonradh Arts Programme
In conjunction with The Crawford Art Gallery the project has begun an outreach art programme for people with dementia and their carers. This project involves 8-10 people visiting local art galleries to look at and discuss paintings, socialise over a cup of tea with the option of taking part in art-making activities. This programme is facilitated by experienced and qualified education staff. Please watch the event calendar for upcoming dates.

Step 2 Early Dementia

Most people receive the diagnosis of dementia from our Memory Clinic or from their GP. Research has shown that people in the early stages prefer to know their diagnosis and need timely and accurate information about the illness. Experience from our memory clinic  would indicate that many people experience difficulties  three to four months post diagnosis, becoming fearful for the future and struggling to get on with their lives. We have provided post - diagnostic support groups across South Tipperary in the past year. Practical support including approaches to managing memory loss and emotional support are provided by the Memory Clinic and the Old Age Psychiatry team. Information and advice on financial and legal issues is also provided. We have established a single point of contact for the project, our co-ordinator Christina can be contacted on 087 0550050 and can help people access the information and supports they need.

Step 3 Progressive Dementia

This step is about supporting people with dementia and their carers at home and within their own communities. Home based support is an individualised support aimed at improving quality of life and meeting the individual needs of People with dementia and their carers. The support is provided to people in their own home or in a community setting.This support is delivered by our Dementia Support Workers (DSW) and in some cases involves the community connector.
It also aims to delay the need for longterm care allowing people to remain living at home and as active participants in their own communities.

Step 4 Advanced Dementia

Step four has seen the development of the Memory Technology Library, on the grounds of South Tipperary General Hospital, Clonmel. The Memory Technology library is for people with memory difficulties and dementia, and their family and friends. We have sourced a large range of products, Assistive Technologies (A.T.) that are useful for people with memory difficulties. This library offers a dementia friendly space where these products can be seen and tried out with a member of staff on an individual basis.

Step 5 Living Well and Dying Well

The final step of the project is about finding out what people with dementia, their families and their carers want at end of life. It also explores healthcare professional views. It will gather the views and attitudes of carers, people with dementia and their families. This will help to inform how to plan end of life services for people with dementia into the future.