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Irish Independent

Wexford dementia centre used as part of Trinity College research project

Enniscorthy Guardian Today at 04:00 The Lodge, based in Castle Gardens Retirement Village, Drumgoold Enniscorthy, was recently visited by a Trinity College Dublin (TCD) Professor as part of her upcoming research project. The Lodge is a unique psychology-led dementia support centre operated by the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland and managed by Clare O'Leary, a qualified psychologist with an MSc in Dementia from TCD. Recently Dr. Irina Kinchin, an Assistant Research Professor at TCD and leading health economist, visited The Lodge to conduct interviews and explore collaborative opportunities. She has been recognised as one of the top 12 leading health researchers in Ireland by the Health Research Board award and has received over 3.5 million grant funding. Dr. Kinchin's technical skillset includes Research Design and Impact Evaluation, Evidence-Based Health Service Research, Outcomes Research, Economic Evaluation, Cost-Effectiveness Analysis, Health Technology Assessment, Randomised Control Trials, Decision-Analytic Modelling, Systematic Review, and Meta-analysis. Her research focuses on populations with complex needs, particularly in end-of-life and neurodegenerative settings. Dr. Kinchin's current work is focused on a 'beyond health' approach to policy and priority setting in dementia and at the end-of-life. "Dr Kinchin will reference the Lodge in her research when it is published, to back existing literature on the positive outcomes of non-pharmacological interventions for people with dementia and their carers,' Clare explained. Clare originally got involved in her studies while caring for her aunt for two years through her journey with Alzheimers Disease. "We have animal therapy, music therapy, cognitive stimulation therapy, reminiscence therapy, VR therapy. Some classes we have had to date are Tai Chi, yoga, dancing, painting, singing, sound baths, meditation, and mindfulness.' "We also have regular day trips though our one barrier is transport and the lack thereof in Wexford at present. We even have an allotment space in Enniscorthy Allotments where we plan to grow all sorts of fruits and vegetables,' she added. There are currently two dedicated programmes: the Day centre takes place on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m, for individuals over 65 living with Dementia, and the Activity Club takes place on Wednesdays for those under 65. At present, these groups support six participants, but there is capacity for 11. As the first psychology-led centre under the ASI umbrella, it is set apart from traditionally nurse or socially-led models. ADVERTISEMENT "Our referral system is quite straight forward. Once a person receives an official dementia diagnosis, no matter the type or subtype, they must put through a referral from either their GP, specialist or PHN to the Lodge and I will conduct an assessment to assign which group based on the individuals mobility and at which stage in the dementia journey they are at,' she said. Clare is encouraging local families to get in touch as there are spaces available. "We have some spaces to fill in both older adults and young onset. We really want to get the word out and reach as many people as possible as we know it can be a really frightening journey for families through from diagnosis onward.'