Research | Dementia Research Network Ireland

What helps the carers? A qualitative study of the media supports used by Irish families who care for a loved one with dementia

Our research aims to explore media supports used by Irish families who care for or have recently cared for a loved one with dementia. Media supports may include podcasts, radio shows, television programmes or adverts, websites, apps, physical information sheets, and other forms of information provision. We want to find out if Irish families caring for a loved one with dementia use resources of this type, if they are suitable, and how they are used in dementia care.

Facilitators And Barriers to implementing Cognitive Stimulation Therapy groups for people with dementia in Ireland (FAB-CST)

Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) is the only evidence-based intervention that improves cognition and quality of life for people with mild-moderate dementia. CST offers an ideal solution to the demand for early interventions for those with dementia in Ireland.

Advance Care Planning in Older Persons Mental Health / Dementia

This doctoral study seeks to gain a holistic understanding of the Mental Health Service for Older Person’s advance care planning practice nationwide, and to identify ways of augmenting and improving decision-making practice with older persons living with dementia or with mental health challenges considering the newly commenced ADM legislation. To achieve this aim, a three-stage action research study, using a combination of quantitative, qualitative, and co-operative inquiry approaches is utilised.

Some Dance to Remember

To investigate the psychosocial effects of the introduction of an adaptive Irish Céilí dance group activity with people living with dementia and their carers.

A Virtual Reality Social Connecting Space for Older Adults Living with Dementia

The aim of this study is to inform the design of a virtual reality (VR) social connecting space for older adults living with dementia.

An Exploration of Personhood in Dementia in Formal Care in Ireland

This project examined personhood in dementia within formal care provision and relationships in Ireland. The concept of personhood within the context of formal care was examined through three different lenses: formal care policy, formal care settings and formal care relationships. Each lens provides different insights and perspectives into personhood in dementia and at both the macro and micro level of formal care provision. The central research question was: How is personhood in dementia conceptualised, expressed, facilitated and actualised in formal care in Ireland?

A Systematic Review of the Public’s Knowledge and Understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia.

Project Aim(s): This paper reports findings from a systematic review of the literature on the general public’s knowledge and understanding of dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. The key purpose of the review was to evaluate existing literature with specific attention paid to conceptual and methodological issues and to key findings. Over a 20-year period, 40 published articles satisfied the inclusion criteria. Only 4 of these were qualitative and 5 were cross-national.

A National Survey of Memory Clinics in the Republic of Ireland.

Project Aim(s): This national survey investigates the location, resourcing, staff composition, treatments, waiting time, and numbers of patients attending memory clinics (MCs) in the Republic of Ireland. It also explores Directors’ attitudes to future service development including their views about the advantages and disadvantages of quality standards for MCs.

Planning dementia services: new estimates of current and future prevalence rates of dementia for Ireland.

Project Aim(s): To provide new estimates of dementia prevalence at a national and local level in Ireland and new projections of future numbers of people with dementia.