An estimated 711 people are living with dementia in County Laois according to the last available figures from the Central Statistics Office
A new TV, radio and online advertising campaign to increase understanding and support for people living with dementia has been launched by the Minister for Health, Simon Harris TD, as part of the Dementia: Understand Together initiative.
It saw the unveiling of two new TV adverts telling the stories of Maureen O’Hara and Paddy Butler who have generously shared their experience of living with dementia for the campaign.
Launching the new campaign, Minister Harris said: “The Dementia: Understand Together campaign seeks to raise awareness, increase understanding, and address the loneliness often experienced by people living with dementia and their families.
“We want to open up conversations in homes, workplaces and communities across the country about dementia, increasing understanding and reducing the isolation that people with the condition frequently experience.
Supported
“It aims to show that people with dementia can be supported to live well, and that each of us can play our part by maintaining friendships and including people in our shared community life,” Minister Harris said
The campaign is part of the Dementia: Understand Together initiative, which is led by the HSE in partnership with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Genio.
The campaign is funded by the HSE and The Atlantic Philanthropies, and began in 2015.
Website
The launch of the campaign coincides with the official unveiling of a new “go-to” website for people who want to find out more about dementia – www.understandtogether.ie.
The website features a service finder detailing county-by-county the dementia supports and services available.
It also offers a range of training resources for carers, and for businesses and organisations in the retail, transport, public and financial sectors.
For more information on the Dementia: Understand Together initiative, visit www.understandtogether.ie or Freephone 1800 341 341.
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