New Cafe Alert: The Boyne Memories Cafe in Trim, Co. Meath will be opening on Friday November 6th and will run on the first Friday of the Month from 10.30 to 12.30. The Cafe takes place in the Trim Family Resource Centre. Contact Yvonne Gannon at [email protected] for further details.

Falls can have a major impact on an older person’s confidence, independence and quality of life. But falls prevention starts before the fall. Join Siel Bleu Ireland and Nursing Homes Ireland for a practical one-hour webinar exploring how adapted physical activity can help older adults maintain strength, balance, mobility and confidence. 📅 Tuesday, 20th of October 🕑 2:00–3:00 PM 💻 Online | FREE | E-Certificate Provided Designed for nursing home and managers and decision-makers, the webinar will combine expert insights with practical advice you can apply in your organisation. You’ll discover: ●What contributes to falls and how physical activity can help reduce risk ●Why strength, balance and mobility are key to maintaining independence ●Practical strategies for supporting more movement in care settings ●A 10-minute live exercise session led by Siel Bleu Ireland trainers ●Simple, adaptable exercises suitable for older adults with different abilities Register for the Free Webinar here: buff.ly/xYR4XGy #SielBleuIreland #FallsPrevention #NursingHomesIreland #HealthyAgeing #dementiaresource

Dr. Suzanna Dooley delivering our 'Communication & Dementia: a Course in Communication Partner Training' Workshop to Kerry Respite members at Austin Stacks GAA Club in Tralee. The session was both informative and engaging, and participants gained valuable knowledge and practical insights throughout the day - there was lots of participation from all of the attendees. The Communication Partner Training workshop provides an in-depth exploration of how dementia affects communication and how professionals can adapt their approach to maintain understanding and connection. If you are planning training for your staff, get in touch now: [email protected] and keep an eye on our website for upcoming courses. #dementiatraining #dementiaresources #dementiacourse

We had a very busy day in Croke Park on Saturday at the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Conference. Thank you to everyone who visited our stand and took one of our "How to Start a Dementia Cafe in your GAA Club" manual. If you think that your GAA club would be interested in setting up a Dementia Cafe, click here for more details: buff.ly/2y1HbES

Want to use your skills to make a real difference in your community? Meet us at BoardMatch Live on 14 October and chat with our team about joining our board. You'll also have the opportunity to meet a range of other charities seeking passionate voluntary board members. Joining a board is a great way to build your experience in governance, leadership and strategic decision-making while creating meaningful social impact. 📍 Chartered Accountants Ireland, 47 Pearse Street, Dublin 2 📅 14 October from 5.30pm to 8pm boardmatch-live.ie #BoardMatchLive #BoardRecruitment #Volunteering

We will be at Croke Park this Saturday for the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Conference. There will be approximately 400 delegates in attendance representing Gaelic Games clubs across the 32 counties of Ireland. If you think that your GAA club would be interested in setting up a Dementia Cafe, call to our stand for a chat or click here for more details: buff.ly/2y1HbES

A big thank you to The Access Group who invited our CEO Kim Tully along to the HCCI Conference & Awards 2026 last week. Kim joined Alex Nash, Freya Saunders Martin and Lisa Callaghan from @TheAccessGroup to explore some of the key challenges and opportunities facing Ireland’s care sector.

The 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗚𝘂𝗶𝗱𝗲 is a great resource for anyone visiting a person with dementia; you might be a family member, a friend, a volunteer or a befriender. Your role is simple: Spend time together and build a meaningful connection. This guide gives you a simple structure for visits and will help you to plan your visits, communicate more easily and find ways to connect. You can download the Guide here: buff.ly/MdXnXpq #dementiaresource #dementiaireland

An online opportunity for dementia café coordinators from around Ireland to come together, hear from guest speakers, share ideas and experiences, and connect with other café teams. Kim Tully, Engaging Dementia CEO will talk about two new programmes Time Together and Story2Remember and talk about the policy templates that are available. Cathryn O’Leary, National Community Engagement Manager, The Alzheimer Society of Ireland will talk about how to incorporate sporting memories into dementia cafes. Dr. Catherine Houghton & Dr. Owen Harney will discuss the INNEACH Project, intergenerational programmes to enhance social connection for people living with dementia. There will be discussions, hints, tips and advice from other dementia cafe coordinators. email: michelle@engagingdementia for a link to the online event.

UPCOMING WEBINAR: 𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗴𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘀: 𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗡𝗢𝗪? A diagnosis tells us something. It doesn’t tell us everything. Understanding cognitive change is important. But what happens to our conversations, our relationships, and our sense of connection? How can we continue to recognize and respond to the person beyond the diagnosis? Join Vicki de Klerk-Rubin—Validation Master Teacher and daughter of Naomi Feil who created the Validation method—and Nancy Brown, Validation Teacher, for a free, live conversation: Beyond the Diagnosis: WHAT NOW? The webinar will introduce the attitude at the heart of Naomi Feil’s Validation method and explore several practical Validation techniques—centering and observing before responding, listening for emotions and meaning, exploring with open questions rather than correcting, and responding with emotional empathy to deepen connection. Monday, 5 October 2026 at 5:00PM REGISTER FOR THE FREE WEBINAR here: buff.ly/XFsaB5Y This conversation is for people experiencing cognitive change, spouses and partners, family members, friends, caregivers, and professionals.

Our next 𝗦𝗼𝗻𝗮𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 Dementia training courses, start in person in Cork on Friday 9th October and in Galway on Friday 16th October. The Sonas Programme is an evidence-based therapeutic activity programme designed to support meaningful communication, engagement and connection for people living with dementia. Through music, movement, sensory stimulation, reminiscence and communication, Sonas gives care professionals practical tools to create meaningful moments with people living with dementia – including those with more advanced dementia. Don’t miss your opportunity to train in this valuable approach to dementia care. Click here for more information and to book: buff.ly/422PUvz #dementiatraining #dementiacourse #dementiaresource #

We had a great day at the Story2Remember training in Swords last week. We are looking for volunteers to attend FREE ONLINE Story2Remember Workshops in November - if you are interested in leading creative sessions for people living with dementia and their family carers, then make sure to sign up. The workshops are aimed at professionals, social workers, and Dementia Cafe coordinators who are interested in exploring creative, person-centred approaches to working with people with dementia. You don’t have to be a creative person or have a background in creative arts to participate. The Online Workshops take place from 10am and 1pm on: -Friday Nov 3rd -Friday Nov 13th -Friday Nov 20th If you are interested, email [email protected] or call 012608138. Participants are required to attend all three sessions, as each session builds on the knowledge and learning from the previous one. With thanks to the support from Fingal Co. Council & Creative Ireland.

This ebook has been developed by a team of occupational therapists. It is a guide to practical solutions that aim to reduce the impact of your dementia diagnosis and facilitate you to enjoy time with family and friends. Occupational therapists work with clients living with dementia to maximise independence in daily life. The practical strategies in this ebook aim to support independence and build resilience. You can download the guide here: buff.ly/KyDTwcL

We have a stand at the NHI Annual Conference in the Lyrath Estate in Co. Kilkenny today. We are near the entrance so make sure to call to see us and learn all about our Dementia Training Courses, the Annual International Dementia Conference and about the Irish Dementia Cafe Network. Last year we me the wonderful team from the Access Group. Who could have predicted that a chat over soup would have lead to a successful, meaningful, productive and supportive Charity Partnership? More of that story to follow soon. #NHI #NHIConference26 #NursingHomes #LTRC #dementiatraining

𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮: 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. Thank you to Dovida Ireland for featuring our CEO Kim on their website as part of World Alzheimer's Month. Familiar surroundings, routines, people, and places can provide an important sense of continuity and reassurance for people living with dementia. Remaining connected to the community in which a person has lived, worked, raised a family and developed friendships can help maintain their sense of identity and belonging, particularly as dementia progresses. Read more about the importance of community-based support for people living with dementia in Kim’s special contribution to mark #WorldAlzheimersMonth 👇 buff.ly/fPDGBkd

Minister for Older People highlights the importance of dementia awareness and timely diagnosis on World Alzheimer’s Day, 21 September September is World Alzheimer’s Month, and World Alzheimer's Day, marked annually on 21 September, is an opportunity to raise awareness of dementia, highlight the signs of dementia and promote the importance of a timely diagnosis. This year's theme: "The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters," highlights the benefits of recognising the signs of dementia early and seeking support as soon as concerns arise. A diagnosis of dementia can be life-changing, but it can also be an important first step. Timely diagnosis enables people with dementia and their families to access information, support services and healthcare interventions. It also enables them to make informed decisions and plan for their future. There are now estimated to be almost 70,000 people living with dementia in Ireland, and this number is expected to more than double to over 151,000 by 2050. Speaking on World Alzheimer’s Day, Minister for Older People, Kieran O’Donnell said: "World Alzheimer's Day reminds us that a dementia diagnosis does not define a person. With the right supports, many people continue to live active, meaningful and fulfilling lives after diagnosis. Receiving a timely diagnosis gives people the opportunity to access services, understand their condition and live well.” Minister O’Donnell continued: “Dementia is an important priority for the Government. As Minister for Older People, I am working with the HSE and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland to continuously improve access to dementia diagnostic services and community-based supports. “Government has invested in increasing access to dementia diagnostic services by funding the rollout of Memory Assessment and Support Services, Regional Specialist Memory Clinics and a National Intellectual Disability Memory Service. The HSE has committed to opening 7 Memory Assessment and Support Services and a new Regional Specialist Memory Clinic this year. “I have also prioritised the development of an Irish Dementia Registry which is underway. The Registry will collect consistent national data on diagnosis, treatment, support provision and patient outcomes. This will help inform service delivery, planning and future policy decisions. “In addition, Government has invested in increasing the availability of community-based supports for people living with dementia. Funding is provided to the Alzheimer Society of Ireland to provide supports including dementia advisers, day care services, dementia day care at home and activity clubs for people with young onset dementia. Other community-based supports that are available to people with dementia include home support, meals on wheels and activities provided by a variety of community and voluntary organisations based in local communities. “Together with initiatives like the HSE’s Dementia: Understand Together campaign, these investments are providing meaningful supports for people with dementia and their families, enabling them to live as well and as independently as possible in their own homes and communities.” Minister O’Donnell concluded: “This year, I encourage anyone who has concerns about memory or cognitive changes, either for themselves or a loved one, to seek advice and support. The earlier you know, the more you can do. “On World Alzheimer's Day, I would also like to recognise the contribution of families, carers, healthcare professionals and community organisations who support people living with dementia every day. “Together, we can work to ensure that people with dementia have access to earlier diagnosis and the services and supports they need to live well in their communities."

Our Online Sonas License Renewal Day takes place this Friday, September 25th. This is an opportunity for current Sonas Programme Licensed Practitioners to refresh their skills, stay up to date with dementia training programme developments, and renew their licence for continued delivery of the programme in their care setting. 🗓 Date: Friday, Sept 25th 💻 Location: Online (Zoom) If you'd like to book a place or need more information, please contact us at [email protected] or book on: buff.ly/lsg7iQC #dementiatraining #dementiacourse #dementiaresource

What songs would be on your Autumnal playlist? You can listen to ours here: buff.ly/TkUG3O0

Today is World Alzheimer’s Day! Join us to help raise awareness and improve understanding. Be inspired by the many organisations and champions who are taking actions to include and support people living with dementia. Listen to former GAA President Sean McCague’s daughters about what the GAA community support meant to them. buff.ly/TxBI4HD #dementiasupport #dementiaresources #

𝗙𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: ‘Can You See What I See?’ promotes living well with dementia and advocates for a society to see the person first and not the disease. It is strongly informed by listening to people with dementia, and to those who support them, their families, friends and the medical professionals. It can be shared with both young and old in your communities, with your family and friends, students and work colleagues to start conversations and inspire all to see people that live with dementia as valued citizens and support them to remain engaged, feel included and live well in their communities. You can purchase it directly from our website here: buff.ly/KSCJQDy #dementiaireland #dementiaresource #dementiacare