The World Health Organisation (WHO) have published Guidelines for Risk Reduction of Cognitive Decline and Dementia. The guidelines are primarily targeted at healthcare providers and also have implications for policy-makers, healthcare planners & programme managers as well as the general public.

The guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations on lifestyle behaviours and interventions to delay or prevent cognitive decline and dementia.

Adopting a three pronged multidisciplinary research approach the programme is organised in three specific and interlinked work packages relating to Amyotrophic Lateral Scerosis, spanning clinical, epidemiological and health services research including health economics. The research aims to generate a framework for optimal management of ALS and explore its relevance for other neurological conditions.

Funded by the Atlantic Philantropies and supported by the Department of Health, Creating Excellence in Dementia Care: A Research Reivew for Ireland’s National Dementia Stratergy presents key findings emerging from a research review conducted to inform the development of Ireland’s future National Dementia Strategy.

A Dementia Research Prioritisation process has been developed by a Steering Group convened by Dementia and Neurodegeneration Network Ireland (DNNI) and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI). People with professional experience and knowledge of dementia/ dementia research were invited to participate in a survey, which is now closed. The findings will assist us to advocate for increased investment in dementia research in Ireland. 

In November 2020, a forum was hosted by DRNI and the National Dementia Office to explore the current post-diagnostic landscape and discuss best practice in this area. The forum included a discussion on how to build on the recent progress made in the area of dementia post-diagnostic supports and how to ensure broad implementation for those who would most benefit from such supports.

DARES is a three-year mixed methods project funded by the Health Research Board which aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a structured educational reminiscence programme for staff. Using a cluster randomized trial it aims to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the reminiscence-based programme on levels of agitation exhibited by residents with dementia and on staff attitude towards residents with dementia and perceived care burden.