Tallaght University Hospital open ‘Memory Hut’
By William O'Connor
Tallaght University Hospital (TUH) announced the opening of a new ‘Memory Hut’, reports William O’Connor.
This is the first hospital based drop-in service to focus on brain health and dementia in Ireland.
This novel collaboration of staff from the specialist memory service, TUH volunteers and the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland has created an informal weekly “drop-in or drop-by” service for people living with memory difficulties, members of the public, staff, patients and their families right at the heart of TUH.
It is hoped that this valuable service will promote a greater awareness of early and sustained approaches to brain health and dementia prevention as well as giving vital positive support to those living with dementia in the community and those who support them.
The ‘Memory Hut’ is open in the main hospital atrium from 2pm – 4pm every Wednesday, staffed by trained volunteers.
Commenting on the opening of the ‘Memory Hut’ Professor Sean Kennelly Consultant Physician in Geriatric Medicine said: “This innovative collaborative initiative between the specialist memory service, our Hospital Volunteers and the Alzheimer’s society of Ireland is the first of its kind in Ireland.
“It creates a friendly and informal area where people living with dementia and those who support them, can come and ask questions they may often put off asking, or forget to ask, when in our clinic.
“It also promotes the very important message that over a third of cases of dementia are preventable – with the right lifestyle choices.”
