A new website, which aims to offer support to people diagnosed with dementia in the north Cork area, has been launched.

An estimated 42,000 people in Ireland are currently affected by dementia, around 26,000 of whom live in the community. In the north Cork area, it is estimated that almost 1,000 people are living with dementia, including 310 in Mallow.

Over the next three decades, the Mallow figure is expected to jump to almost 1,100 cases.

The website, crystalproject.ie, has been created by the Crystal Project, a community dementia project, which is funded by the HSE, but involves collaboration between a number of relevant groups, including the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland, the Carers Association, GPs and affected families.

It provides information on all of the supports and services available for people diagnosed with dementia and their families. It also aims to raise general awareness of the condition and reduce the stigma attached to it.

According to HSE occupational therapist (OT) in north Cork, Sheena Cadoo, the OT department and the HSE South has been working hard to develop specialised dementia services for this area over the last three years.

"The website will provide significant support to those recently diagnosed with dementia including providing advice on strategies to compensate for memory loss and details of upcoming information and support sessions," she said.

Meanwhile, according to Yvonne Finn Orde of the HSE, this is a service ‘not just for the person with dementia, it is for their families and friends and anyone else who has a question or concern'.

The Crystal Project is located in the Memory Resource Room of the Mallow Primary Healthcare Centre in Mallow. The website can be viewed here

For more information on Alzheimer's disease, see our Alzheimer's Clinic here