Tipperary dementia awareness group launches new signage campaign

On Thursday, April 9, Tipperary County Council, Tipperary Age Friendly and the HSE’s Dementia: Understand Together were delighted to launch the Tipperary Tidy Towns Dementia Awareness Signage Campaign at Cabragh Wetlands Visitor and Interpretive Centre Holycross.

The campaign is part of the ongoing work by Tipperary Tidy Towns to welcome and include people living with dementia in their community.

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The signage is a visual symbol of solidarity and support for the many people affected by the condition.

Mary MacMahon, Chair of Tipperary Older Peoples Council and volunteer member of her local tidy towns, noted: “the positive impact of volunteering and participating in events, also for people living with dementia. Being active citizens in their community, retaining their identity and continuing doing things they enjoy is vital for their health and wellbeing.”

Tipperary PPN Coordinator Ruth Smith noted: “Tipperary has a very strong association with tidy towns and participates in the National Tidy Town’s Competition annually. The partnership with the HSE’s Dementia: Understand Together on this campaign also supports the Sustainable Development Goals with the promotion of dementia inclusive/friendly communities (SDG 11), good health and wellbeing (SDG 3) and reducing inequalities (SDG 10).”

The Tipperary Age Friendly Tidy Towns Dementia Awareness Signage Campaign includes video recordings with Andy Moloney Chair of Cahir Tidy Towns and Jennifer Manning HSE Clinical Nurse Manager speaking about the benefits of physical and social activities for people with dementia.

Dementia awareness training for local tidy towns groups will be rolled out in the coming months, promoted through Tipperary PPN.

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Fiona Crotty, Tipperary County Council Age Friendly Programme Manager noted: “that engaging in our own community helps to combat the potential loneliness and isolation and create a sense of inclusion. The campaign is also increasing public awareness and understanding of dementia. Tipperary Age Friendly are delighted to continue their partnership with the HSE’s Dementia: Understand Together, promote the Tipperary Dementia Cafe network and create a supporting community environment”.

For the first time this year, Tidy Towns committees across the country can apply for a “Dementia inclusive community” Special Award as part of the SuperValu TidyTowns annual competition.