New TY programme to Teach young people about dementia from the Alzheimer Society

THE Alzheimer Society of Ireland (The ASI) recently launched the ‘Creating a Dementia Inclusive Generation’ Transition year Programme. Over 50 schools and 2,400 students across 17 counties have engaged in the innovative year programme since its launch in late 2022. The programme's response from teachers and students has been extremely positive.

With a growing number of people developing Dementia each year, it is more important than ever that we teach young people how to cope when someone they know and love receives a diagnosis of Dementia.

‘Creating a Dementia Inclusive Generation’ aims to remove the fear, reduce the stigma associated with Dementia, and empower young people to cope with the situation. A rising dementia diagnosis rate has inspired the development of the Programme to educate the younger generation on the effects of Dementia, and make our communities safer and more inclusive.

This programme was developed in partnership with the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre.

One-third of young people have someone in their lives who is living with dementia; this may be a grandparent or a neighbour - but unfortunately, with the increased incidence of early onset dementia, it may be a parent.

This programme has three phases, the first being an online 5 module e-learning course.

The five modules of the e-learning course are:

Module 1 - ‘Growing Older’ looks at the different aspects of ageing and how we experience it. It also looks at how ageing is viewed in different cultures.

Module 2 -’The Brain’ Introduces us to the wonder of the human brain! More powerful, complex and more intelligent than any computer, the brain collects information, sorts it, thinks, remembers, solves problems and coordinates actions simultaneously.

Module 3 – ‘Brain Health’ Looks at the importance of keeping your brain healthy and the risk factors for dementia. The choices we make today can help our brains when we are older!

Module 4 - ‘What is Dementia ’Teaches students about dementia and how it affects people's daily lives and the lives of family members and Carers of people living with Dementia. Discover what you can do to support people living with dementia and help to keep them connected to their local communities.

Module 5 - ‘Perceptions of Dementia and Reducing Stigma’. Public perceptions of dementia are slowly changing as people’s knowledge, and understanding improve. Let's all work together to make communities dementia inclusive.

On completion of the programme, students are invited to become peer educators to classmates and students across the school system, empowering even more young people to be part of Creating a Dementia Inclusive Generation.

The project is an official Challenge Partner with An Gaisce, The President’s Award, which includes the opportunity for Gaisce participants to fulfil challenge area requirements.