‘People think that they’re going through this alone – they’re not’

EVERY Friday morning from 10.30am to 1pm, the Kilnamanagh Family Resource Centre is a hive of activity for the free weekly Alzheimer’s coffee morning.

People with conditions such as Alzheimer’s and dementia attend the group with their carers, in an informal environment with coffee, tea, activities and an ever-popular sing-song at the end.

The group is open to all, irrespective of the area they live in, and was set up by Kilnamanagh man Ray Smith after his late wife Denise was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

Denise was diagnosed at age 59, and sadly passed away in December 2021, at age 69, with Ray learning first-hand the importance of seeking support for both himself and his wife.

In that vein, he decided to set up the group with the support of the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland and enjoys providing a friendly social outlet for people affected by the condition.

“Every Alzheimer’s client who attends has to have their carer with them, as it’s not a minding service,” Mr Smith told The Echo.

“They come in and they have some tea and coffee, they have a chat, then there’s usually a quiz where there’s very good banter.

“Then we progress to a sing-song, and that brings us through the morning.”

When asked why he decided to set up the group, Mr Smith said he wanted to give something back in recognition of the help his wife received when she was unwell.

“It’s great to help other people,” he said. “An awful lot of people think they’re going through this alone, but they’re not.”

In a bid to keep the group informal, it doesn’t have a specific name, as Mr Smith said the aim is for it to be treated as a meet-up between people who happen to have Alzheimer’s and their carers.

“Anyone that comes to our coffee morning, I don’t think they know they have Alzheimer’s,” he said.

“For them, they’re just going to a coffee morning with friends – and that’s the way we want to keep it.”

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