Building on work already under way with the local business community, a public information meeting takes place in Bunclody, next Thursday, November 21^st as the next part of the initiative to have Bunclody known as a “Dementia Friendly Community”.

HSE/South East Community Healthcare’s Public Health Nursing Department is working closely with Wexford County Council’s Local Community Development Committee and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland on a project that will see a range of initiatives in place to help improve awareness of those with dementia and their carers.

Fixed for 7 pm in the Pastoral Centre at the Church of the Most Holy Trinity Bunclody (with light refreshments served beforehand  at 6.30 pm), the event will feature talks from Dementia Champions, Jackie O’ Toole (Dementia Nurse Specialist), South East Community Healthcare’s General Manager for Older Person’s Services Barbara Murphy (information on the “Fair Deal” scheme) and solicitor Lisa McDonald (a briefing on the “Power of Attorney” law and recent developments in that respect).

This public meeting follows on from a recently provided Open Training Day for representatives of local business and training for transition year students in the two secondary schools in Bunclody. This marks the third step in supporting Bunclody to become “Dementia Friendly”.

Setting the context for the public meeting, South East Community Healthcare’s Head of Service for Health and Wellbeing Derval Howley said: “Figures show that there are over 50,000 people living with Dementia in Ireland today and that number is expected to increase significantly over the next 20 years. Indeed, medical research is telling us that up to 4,000 people a year in Ireland develop some form of dementia. Dementia is progressive and there is currently no cure. Dementia is not simply a health issue but a social issue that requires a community response. According to research, the majority of people with dementia (63%) live at home in the community.”

Public Health Nurse Ann Marie Hayes said: “This public meeting will have important contributions, such as how to apply for financial support to help pay for the cost of care in a nursing home through the Fair Deal scheme and on the Power of Attorney (a legal device that can be set up by a person when he/she is in good mental health to allow another specially appointed person to take actions on their behalves if incapacitated through illness). South East Community Healthcare (SECH) looks forward to supporting Bunclody and this forthcoming information meeting is another step in the process.”

Wexford County Council’s Local Community Development Committee representative Brian Toomey added: “The vision of Dementia Friendly communities is that people with dementia and their families are respected as independent citizens and are connected, as much as they wish, as part of inclusive communities. We are working with local services and businesses in Bunclody to make our community a dynamic and inclusive place for people with dementia, their carers, families and friends to live and work in. We would hope to set Bunclody as an example for and to other communities in this respect.”