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Memory Resource Technology Rooms
MEMORY TECHNOLOGY RESOURCE ROOMS
EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH MEMORY DIFFICULTIES
HSE/Cork Kerry Community Healthcare in collaboration with Baile Mhuire Older Persons services launches Kerry Memory Technology Resource Rooms
“It’s about empowering people to engage in meaningful activities, therefore enhancing your quality of life, to enable independence and safety in everyday activities.” Senior Occupational Therapist Catherine Murphy, who runs the Kerry Memory Resource Room, was explaining what people can expect when they visit.
Minister for Mental Health and Older People Mary Butler recently officially opened the Kerry Memory Technology Resource Room (MTRR) in Tralee, Co Kerry.
The MTRR is a collaboration between the HSE/Cork Kerry Community Healthcare and Baile Mhuire Day Services. It showcases assistive technologies and supports that can help people with memory difficulties such as dementia, and their families.
One of 30 such memory technology resource rooms around the country, the Kerry MTRR supports people with memory difficulties to continue engaging in daily tasks and has a hugely positive impact on maintaining their independence and improves quality of life.
“Each person is different, so each visit will be tailored to your needs. We wanted to create an environment that is homely and welcoming so visitors can feel at ease when they come into us,” said Catherine.
“During your visit we will discuss practical tips to help your memory, by looking at your memory and strengthen areas that you may be experiencing difficulty. Common challenges can include; remembering appointments or events, misplacing the keys or mobile phone. Many people feel overwhelmed by digital technology like phones and tablets and in the memory technology room we explore all different technology, it may be a light that turns on when you walk past it or simply a reminder checklist at the front door to bring your phone with you.
“We will recommend and provide a demonstration of simple equipment that can enable you to keep doing the everyday tasks that are important to you. We also offer emotional support and recommend other services available in the community for you and your family.”
The Kerry MTRR is the first purpose- built one in the country and is also an excellent example of how a collaboration between a
LEFT: Aidan Kelly Baile Mhuire Tralee; Dolores McElligott; Eibhlis Cahalane HSE; Catherine Murphy, Senior Occupational Therapist who runs the Kerry Memory Resource Room; Minister Mary Butler; Mike Fitzgerald, HES; Etna McAuliffe, HSE; and Paddy Garvey,cChairman Baile Mhuire. BELOW: Catherine Murphy, Senior Occupational Therapist. BOTTOM: Catherine Murphy, Senior Occupational Therapist; Paddy Garvey, Chairman Baile Mhuire; Mike Fitzgerald HES; and Minister for Education Norma Foley.
voluntary agency and the HSE can support such an important community service.
The Baile Mhuire campus which already houses an older person’s day centre, a dementia-specific Day centre and the Kerry Integrated care team is an ideal home to the Kerry Memory Technology Resource Room as many of the clients accessing it may be attending some of the services on site.
It can be much easier to be independent and safe within your own home when you have the right supports and equipment. Memory Technology Resource Rooms are a welcoming and safe environment for clients and their families to discuss any challenges they are encountering in their day to day lives. The service is free of charge. Following their visit, families may then decide to purchase any equipment they feel might be helpful. With guidance from the occupational therapist about the most appropriate and useful equipment specific to their needs, costs are kept to a minimum. There is also a loan facility in operation for people to borrow equipment and try it out at home to make sure it works for them before they purchase it.
Minister for Mental Health and Older Persons Mary Butler said she was delighted to officially open the Kerry Memory Technology Resource Room, which she said provides a hugely valuable service to people with dementia and memory difficulties. “Significant progress has been made this year to develop community-based dementia services, and I'm delighted to have secured additional funding in Budget 2022 to continue to enhance such supports, including Memory Technology Resource Rooms,” she said. “I would really urge families who have any concerns about memory difficulties to make an appointment to visit their local Memory Room, which is free of charge. It’s the little things like the support available in these Memory Rooms that can make such a big difference to daily life.”
Michael Fitzgerald, Chief Officer for Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, also welcomed this initiative. “The Kerry Memory Technology Resource Room is an integral component in supporting the safety and independence of people with memory difficulties living in our community. The MTRRs, in conjunction with other HSE and voluntary services, aim to maximise the potential of Assistive Technology and support people living with memory difficulties and their carers to benefit from this technology.”
Paddy Garvey, chairperson of Baile Mhuire Day Services said the MTRR has been a great addition to the Baile Mhuire campus.
“The additional support and practical advice provided by Catherine has benefitted both the clients attending the MTRR and also the clients attending the day service particularly during COVID when the ability to provide virtual support became so important. Baile Mhuire is proud to be a partner in such an important collaboration with the HSE in providing the MTRR service,” he said.
The official opening of the Kerry Memory Technology Resource Room in Tralee was attended by Minister for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler, Baile Mhuire staff, health service staff, staff who run the service in Tralee and individuals and families who have previously visited the Memory Resource Room.
WHAT IS ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY (AT)?
Assistive Technology (AT) refers to equipment that enables someone to complete a task to maintain their independence, help manage risks at home and reduce stress for carers. Assistive Technology includes safety equipment, prompts and reminders, sensory technology, communication and orientation devices. Typical equipment on display in the Memory Technology Resource Room includes push button reminders, easy to use remote controls, radios and phones, prompts to take medication, speaking clocks and watches, orientating devices and lots more. In most cases, very simple and inexpensive solutions enable people with memory difficulties to do things by themselves for as long as possible. Quality of life ideas such as a life history book, talking photo album or a personalised memory box can also make a difference to people living with dementia and memory difficulties. The Memory Technology Resource Rooms have examples of these and advice on how to put them together. People with memory difficulties, including dementia, and their family members can arrange to visit their local Memory Technology Resource Room free of charge. You can speak to your GP or Public Health Nurse, or make an appointment directly with your local MTRR.
