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Mayo pilot project aims to provide better care for people with dementia

Public and private sector unite to fund innovative project


Friday 14th September 2012 - Taoiseach Enda Kenny today launched an innovative pilot project in Castlebar Co Mayo designed to enable numbers of people with dementia to live in community settings. Community Action on Dementia in Mayo is one of four pilot projects being introduced in four different geographical areas and is being supported by the charity Genio. The project will cater for a population of 130,000 in county Mayo and will put into practice new
methods of caring for people with dementia in their communities rather than in inpatient care. If successful, the objective is that these service models will be adopted nationwide thus improving the quality of life of people with dementia while making a substantial saving for the exchequer.

The main features of this project are the provision of education in collaboration with GalwayMayo Institute of Technology, assistive technology, development of a range of communitybased respite options, establishing a mobile memory clinic and provision of a dementia counsellor who will link with the person and family from time of diagnosis and also provide information and support. Launching the project in Castlebar today, Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D. stated This project enables people with dementia to live at home in their communities with dignity and respect. By building on the support provided by family, friends and community groups, Community Action on Dementia in Mayo promotes measures to keep people with dementia in community care for as long as possible. The work of this innovative project is at the heart of Government policy and a credit to the already outstanding work carried out by carers of people with dementia.
Genio is driving the process with the support of the HSE and the Atlantic Philanthropies, who are jointly funding the 4.3m cost of the four projects, in collaboration with the Department of Health

Also speaking at the launch today was the Founding Director of Genio Ms Madeleine Clarke who said: It is hoped that the success of these pilot projects will ensure that the many Irish people with dementia and their carers live within their own communities close to family and friends. We are delighted to have been able to facilitate this joint effort between philanthropy and government to bring needed and lasting change in the care of people with dementia. The additional benefit of this innovative project could hopefully lead to this subject being brought to the forefront of public discussion whilst changing how we think and respond to people with dementia. Meanwhile the Taoiseach today also confirmed that Genio has secured funding of 5m for disability and mental health projects in 2012. The extra money will be joined with philanthropic

funding to speed up the introduction of innovative practice in the mental health and disability fields in line with national policy of moving towards community care and away from inpatient treatment. Since 2010 in collaboration with government, the HSE and the Atlantic Philanthropies, Genio has supported 153 innovative disability and mental health projects. Through these projects over 400 adults and children are now supported to live in the community, therefore avoiding institutional care. In addition over 2,000 people have received training and information aimed at increasing opportunities for people with disabilities to live the lives they choose. Genio is working to refocus services to put the person who needs them at the centre of their design and delivery. So far Genio has supported innovative projects that positively impact on the lives of people with disabilities and mental health issues in Ireland. Now Genio is extending its focus to include people with dementia.

ENDS
Issued by Murray Consultants on behalf of Genio

For further information contact: Murray Consultants 01 498 0300 Mark Brennock 087 233 5923 Jonathan McDade 087 625 3551 Genio Hugh Kane 044 938 5940 087 2723961

Notes to Editors About Genio The Genio Trust is a registered charity established in 2010 to support innovative projects that positively impact on the lives of people in Ireland who are marginalised in society. So far we are working in the disability, mental health and dementia fields, supported by the Atlantic Philanthropies and in collaboration with the Department of Health, the HSE and non-governmental advocacy and serviceproviding organisations. Genio is actively seeking the involvement of other philanthropists interested in contributing to real and lasting change for people who are marginalised in Ireland. Since 2010 Genio is supporting 153 innovative disability and mental health projects around Ireland. Through these projects over 400 adults and children are being supported to live in the community and avoid institutional care. In addition, over 2,000 people have received training and information aimed at increasing opportunities for people with disabilities and mental health difficulties to live the lives they choose. Genio is now working to improve the lives of people with dementia now and into the future.

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