Irish In Britain

Community organisations are daily faced with significant numbers of people with memory loss, most of which is undiagnosed or untreated. Given the incidence of coronary heart disease, stroke and hypertension in the Irish community, the risk of vascular dementia may well be higher than the age profile of the population suggests.

The poor socio–economic circumstances of a significant proportion of the older population living in areas of marked multiple deprivation, confounds their ability to access health and social care in an equitable or timely manner.

Irish in Britain has a strategy, see below Cuimhne: Irish Memory Loss Alliance, in place to address the needs of Irish in relation to all forms of memory loss.

LIVING WELL AFTER DIAGNOSIS

A diagnosis of dementia can bring many different emotions. Some people feel angry, confused or frightened. Every person is different and therefore react differently. It is important to remember that you can live well with Dementia. The important point to remember is that it doesn’t mean you change who you are or stop doing what you enjoy but you may need to do it differently and plan it more. 

Talking to people about your diagnosis and continuing to do the activities you enjoy is important. Whilst dementia cannot be cured there are drugs that can help with the symptoms, therapy can help understand it and come to terms with it but whatever you decide to do then please ensure you talk about it and continue doing activities that you enjoy.

If you are looking after a person with dementia please give them the space to talk about it and ensure they are invited to social events and do not become isolated. Isolation is one thing you must make sure does not happen.

Cuimhne

Cuimhne (pronounced ‘queevna’) is the Irish word for memory. We use the term ‘memory loss’ as it is more acceptable to many members of the Irish community than the term ‘dementia’, which is often stigmatised.

We also believe using this term aims to recognise the uniqueness of each person and the differing ways in which people are affected by, and cope with memory loss.

OUR CAMPAIGN

Our Cuimhne campaign is a call for action to everyone, to individuals and to organisations both within our network and beyond, to involve and include people living with memory loss and dementia and their carers in our society.

We want to work together to promote awareness of memory loss and create a friendly community for everyone.

We can each take action to promote a socially inclusive society and raise awareness about dementia.

Join our Cuimhne campaign and help promote the simple measures we might take together to enable people with memory problems to remain independent and engaged with local communities and services and to better support family carers.

SUPPORT FOR CARERS

Central to our plan is to support family carers as well as individuals who may have some form of memory loss, this is why we have created the Cuimhne Carers Project, here you will find access to recorded webinars and reminiscence resources. We have some links to for advice on financial support here.

Access the Cuimhne Carers Project here. 

Read our Cuimhne Champions Blog here

BOOK AND VIDEO

Watch our video ‘My Story’, which is to help carers and family members use our Memory Book to support people with memory loss and dementia. Contact Cuimhne to find out more about our memory book.

WHY CAMPAIGN ABOUT DEMENTIA AND MEMORY LOSS?

According to the Census 2021 data, amongst those who self-identified as 'White Irish' ethnicity, there is a greater proportion of people over 65 (32.1 percent) with overall average age of this population being 54 years, compared to about 40 years for all residents of England and Wales.

This puts the Irish among the oldest ethnic groups in England and Wales. This is also a reflection of the migration history of this community. Over 40 percent of the residents of England and Wales who were born in the Republic of Ireland arrived before 1971 – more than 50 years ago.

A more detailed picture of the Irish community in Britain shows, for example, that whilst overall, 5.3 percent of the resident population of England and Wales reported their general health to be 'bad or very bad', this applies to 7.7 percent of the 'White Irish'. Irish people were also more likely to report a disability limiting daily activity (22.2 percent) than the national average (17.5 percent). 

These patterns are also linked to a history of unpaid care and to a higher proportion of people living alone (40.3 percent), especially among older generations.

Given the incidence of coronary heart disease, stroke and hypertension in the Irish community, the risk of vascular dementia may well be higher than the age profile of the population suggests.

The poor socio–economic circumstances of a significant proportion of the older population living in areas of marked multiple deprivation, confounds their ability to access health and social care in an equitable or timely manner.

TAKE ACTION! YOU CAN GET INVOLVED AS AN INDIVIDUAL OR AN ORGANISATION

Find out about the training we can provide

Join our campaign and pledge to take action

Volunteer as a Cuimhne Champion

Contact us to set up training for your group or organisation