The HSE launched a suite of Dementia Education Programmes and Resources for nurses and other healthcare staff who care for people with dementia in Ireland (May 2012).

The materials include a staff E-Learning Programme on early identification of memory problems in the older person, Dementia Champions Programme, an information booklet for home care workers, a CD for community based workers and information posters on the differentiation between depression, dementia and delirium for use in a particular in hospital setting.

National dementia education programmes in Ireland, spanning all care groups and areas of work, will now ensure that a dementia service is underpinned by a person centred model.  Following recent research and reports into dementia care these resources have been developed using the evidence base in this area and at all times ensuring that the services are underpinned by a person centred model.  This approach can be taken in all care serttings, whether in the home, community based care or a hospital setting.

Speaking about the new programme, Dr. Patricia McCormack, Consultant Physician in Geriatric Medicine and HSE Regional Lead DNE for the Care of the Elderly Clinical Care Programme, paid tribute to all staff who provide care and support to people with dementia. She further acknowledged the importance of these materials and resources in educating and improving health care professionals’ understanding of dementia.”

“These are evidence based and will be available for download by staff from the HSE website. This is the first time, on a national level, that we have such comprehensive information gathered and analysed by staff, working across all care groups, on their educational needs in dementia care.” Dr Mc Cormack added.

Dr Michael Shannon, Director of the HSE Office of Nursing and Midwifery Services, stressed the importance of these programmes in building capacity across hospital, residential, community and primary care to meet the requirements of people with dementia, and their families, now and into the future. 

“The need to develop a critical mass of dementia care champions with knowledge and skills and a hopeful and optimistic view for the future development of person-centred dementia care will be crucial in the coming years, “he said.

Mr. Maurice O’Connell, CEO of The Alzheimer  Society of Ireland, which partnered with the HSE in the development of these materials, added, “These resources will provide information to home care workers to enable them to support people to live well with dementia in their own homes. The Alzheimer Society of Ireland is delighted to have been involved in the development and production of these resources and we commend all of the agencies that worked collaboratively on the project.”

The programmes were developed as part of the Office of Nursing and Midwifery Services Director (ONMSD) National Dementia project.

Read or download the National Dementia Training Programme Resources

Read about the HSE Care of the Elderly National Clinical Programme

Dementia overview:

In Ireland there are currently over 41,000 people living with dementia, and this number is projected to increase to over 100,000 by 2036. People with dementia will come into contact with a wide range of staff working across all care areas. It is estimated that at least 40% of people with dementia are currently in residential care and 18% of acute medical beds are occupied by people with dementia (O’Shea, 2007).