Roscommon Dementia Alliance

24/08/2026

22/07/2026

No need to book just show up and be ready to dance.



Cuppa tea/coffee

22/07/2026

Are you going on holiday this summer? ☀️

Holidays can be a much-needed pause from day-to-day life - but you might be feeling anxious or unsure about travelling if you or a loved one live with dementia.

If you feel this way, you're not alone. Travelling with dementia can bring extra challenges, but often with the right support and planning, holidays can still be safe, enjoyable and a chance to create special memories together.

If you're thinking about going on holiday, this advice can help you travel with confidence and make the most of your time away:

Pack essentials, medication and comfort items in your carry-on in case of delays. Familiar items from home, such as a pillowcase, bath towel or favourite mug, can help people with dementia feel more settled in unfamiliar surroundings.

Stay identifiable. Keep a recent photo of the person with you, note what they're wearing each day and consider taking a new photo every morning while you're away. This can be helpful if they become separated from you.

Prepare for your flight. Many airlines offer support such as priority boarding for people living with dementia. Let the airline know your needs when booking and try to choose seats together, ideally with an aisle seat for easier assistance.

Help the person with dementia settle in by involving them in simple tasks like unpacking. If they're feeling tired or overwhelmed, take a break first. Keep familiar items visible and make sure they have your room number with them in case they become disorientated.

Stick to familiar routines where possible, including mealtimes and bedtimes. Keeping daily routines as close to normal as possible can help reduce confusion and anxiety.

When you return home, it may take time to readjust. Whether the trip felt smooth or challenging, remember support is available for carers. If you're concerned about any changes in behaviour, speak to your GP.

Please share this post with anyone who may be planning a holiday while supporting a loved one living with dementia. 💙

21/07/2026

Our July cafe was warmly hosted at Boyle Family Resource Centre. We had Mindfulness from Health Promotion officer Anne Marie Murphy.

Please note there is no cafe for August and we look forward to returning in September.

20/07/2026

20/07/2026

Dehydration is a common challenge for older people, especially those living with dementia. Here are some simple but effective ways of helping to prevent dehydration during hot weather:
1. Leave beakers or jugs of water within easy reach. This is especially important for people with limited mobility, who aren’t able to get up and make themselves a drink.
2. Make drinking easier. Have a clear beaker so the person can see what’s inside (this may not work so well with water) or a brightly coloured cup to draw attention. Make sure the beaker is within the line of sight. Having a beaker that is suitable (not too heavy or an odd shape) can help. Straws might also be a good idea.
3. Share a drink together. Have a cup of tea or a soft drink with the person and make sure they're drinking during mealtimes.
4. Leave prompts and reminders. Make sure the person with dementia remembers to drink regularly by leaving notes out for them or putting up notices around the house. You could also set up a phone reminder or set an alarm clock.
5. Provide high water content foods. Supplement water and other drinks with foods that are high in fluids. Some good options include ice lollies, jelly, ice cream, soup and fruit such as melon. ‘Water sweets’, such as Jelly Drops, can also help the person stay hydrated.

06/07/2026

The next Memory Café will be held in Boyle Family Resource Centre, Military Road, Boyle on Wednesday 15th of July at 2pm.

Please note change of venue for July. There will be no memory café in August.

06/07/2026

A really nice poem!

26/06/2026

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1489410123229846&set=a.362957342541802&__cft__[0]=AZY0i5GlmmJCr4FCo33fMcb72_AlFRFBcFXuVY3RJFrd2IEPgOfA-nBWmmq_Kc2Q-IW6gycqUpR14EKQwANNChmN6HNLMFISJjCcSL-DRL0GDc3tdxT2RLLwaL4TEwQZPw3b1C95obihbNPbDuP5Nw74g0FiN8MnsjMfheev044JamPVTkyKMLAXuKGYITVNE1LcOSjGpVxCtBLdQfL-KgNu&__tn__=EH-R

It was wonderful to see Julie and Gail, both members of our Young Dementia Network, on This Morning this week! 💙

They shared their experiences so powerfully, speaking about what it felt like to receive a young onset dementia diagnosis, the lack of support available for younger people, and how life doesn't end after a diagnosis.

You can watch the interview in full here: https://youtu.be/FPJ-htIk_8c?si=PNZqcRrQYAO1i7KT

26/06/2026

Do you know how to spot the signs of dementia?
In the early stages, symptoms can be subtle, easily overlooked and mistaken as part of ageing. Memory problems, confusion, or changes in mood and behaviour may not always raise immediate concern.
But noticing these changes matters.
It might not be dementia, but if it is, getting support early can make a real difference. An early diagnosis can help people access the right care, treatment, and guidance when they need it most.
If you recognise any of the signs in yourself or someone you care about, don’t ignore them – take that next step and speak to your GP.
You’re not alone 💙
[Image description: An infographic titled ‘Signs and symptoms of dementia’ features a light grey background and 10 navy blue illustrations accompanying each sign and symptom. From top right to bottom left, they read:Getting lost; Difficulty judging distances; Memory loss; Struggling to find the right word; Becoming easily upset; Struggling to make decisions; Acting inappropriately; Repeating questions and phrases; Putting objects in unusual places and Losing track of time and dates.] See less