The Many Faces of Alzheimer’s

In this podcast, we catch up with CONSULTANT DR AOIFE FALLON and DR NAOMI DAVEY after their Wednesday clinic. CONTRIBUTORS | Fionnuala Sweeney (Presenter), Dr Aoife Fallon (Consultant) & Dr Naomi Davey. MUSIC | composed and performed by Jon Henderson (guitar). PRODUCTION | ChromeRadio (www.chromemedia.co.uk) for the INSTITUTE OF MEMORY & COGNITION, TALLAGHT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, DUBLIN | Producer - Catriona Oliphant | Post-production - Catriona Oliphant & Chris Sharp FURTHER INFORMATION | TUH Institute of Memory & Cognition #themanyfacesofalzheimer's #TUHdementiaawareness

Not all memory issues lead to a diagnosis of dementia. That’s why it’s important to get any symptoms that are worrying you checked out. In this podcast, we rejoin PROFESSOR SEÁN KENNELLY in clinic where he is talking the patient we met in an earlier episode through her diagnosis – and he has good news! CONTRIBUTORS | Fionnuala Sweeney (Presenter), Professor Seán Kennelly, patient. MUSIC | composed and performed by Jon Henderson (guitar). PRODUCTION | ChromeRadio (www.chromemedia.co.uk) for the INSTITUTE OF MEMORY & COGNITION, TALLAGHT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, DUBLIN | Producer - Catriona Oliphant | Post-production - Catriona Oliphant & Chris Sharp FURTHER INFORMATION | TUH Institute of Memory & Cognition #themanyfacesofalzheimer's #TUHdementiaawareness  

With dementia, timely and accurate diagnosis is very important as certain treatments, including the disease-modifying therapies in development, are currently only likely to be effective in the early stages of the disease. In this episode, we rejoin CONSULTANT NEUROLOGIST DR ANTOINETTE O’CONNOR and PRINCIPAL CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGIST DR GARRET McDERMOTT, who play an important role in identifying less typical cases of dementia, in particular young-onset conditions. They emphasise the importance of early diagnosis and of taking each person’s background into account when interpreting assessments.   CONTRIBUTORS | Fionnuala Sweeney (Presenter), Dr Antoinette O’Connor (Consultant Neurologist) & Dr Garret McDermott (Principal Clinical Neuropsychologist). MUSIC | composed and performed by Jon Henderson (guitar). PRODUCTION | ChromeRadio (www.chromemedia.co.uk) for the INSTITUTE OF MEMORY & COGNITION, TALLAGHT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, DUBLIN | Producer - Catriona Oliphant | Post-production - Catriona Oliphant & Chris Sharp FURTHER INFORMATION | TUH Institute of Memory & Cognition #themanyfacesofalzheimer's #TUHdementiaawareness

Alzheimer’s, particularly early onset Alzheimer’s, affects a person’s speech and language.  In this podcast, we hear more from SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPISTS LISA SHERIDAN and MEGAN RYAN about their role in the process of reaching a diagnosis and how they can work with patients to help maintain their ability to communicate after diagnosis. CONTRIBUTORS | Fionnuala Sweeney (Presenter), Lisa Sheridan & Megan Ryan (Speech & Language Therapists). MUSIC | composed and performed by Jon Henderson (guitar). PRODUCTION | ChromeRadio (www.chromemedia.co.uk) for the INSTITUTE OF MEMORY & COGNITION, TALLAGHT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, DUBLIN | Producer - Catriona Oliphant | Post-production - Catriona Oliphant & Chris Sharp FURTHER INFORMATION | TUH Institute of Memory & Cognition #themanyfacesofalzheimer's #TUHdementiaawareness

In this episode, we rejoin OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS FIONA TOBIN and EMMA NOLAN and hear more about their role in the process of reaching a diagnosis and in supporting patients and their families after diagnosis.  CONTRIBUTORS | Fionnuala Sweeney (Presenter), Fiona Tobin & Emma Nolan (Occupational Therapists). MUSIC | composed and performed by Jon Henderson (guitar). PRODUCTION | ChromeRadio (www.chromemedia.co.uk) for the INSTITUTE OF MEMORY & COGNITION, TALLAGHT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, DUBLIN | Producer - Catriona Oliphant | Post-production - Catriona Oliphant & Chris Sharp FURTHER INFORMATION | TUH Institute of Memory & Cognition #themanyfacesofalzheimer's #TUHdementiaawareness

In this episode, we’re back with RONAN SLATER, who was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 59, and his wife, CATHERINE. They tell us why they want to share their story and how, as a couple, they have navigated family life since his diagnosis. CONTRIBUTORS | Fionnuala Sweeney (Presenter), Professor Seán Kennelly, Ronan & Catherine Slater. MUSIC | Jon Henderson (guitar) & Ronan Slater (bongo drums). PRODUCTION | ChromeRadio (www.chromemedia.co.uk) for the INSTITUTE OF MEMORY & COGNITION, TALLAGHT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, DUBLIN | Producer - Catriona Oliphant | Post-production - Catriona Oliphant & Chris Sharp FURTHER INFORMATION | TUH Institute of Memory & Cognition #themanyfacesofalzheimer's #TUHdementiaawareness

IN THE FOLLOWING PODCASTS, we meet up with some of the clinicians we heard from briefly in the last three podcasts and learn more about their role in helping the team reach a diagnosis as well as how they support people living with dementia and their families.  We also hear further from the patients about the ups and downs of living with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s. In this episode, we rejoin ADVANCED NURSE PRACTITIONER CATHY McHALE. CONTRIBUTORS | Fionnuala Sweeney (Presenter) & Cathy McHale (Advanced Nurse Practitioner). MUSIC | composed and performed by Jon Henderson (guitar). PRODUCTION | ChromeRadio (www.chromemedia.co.uk) for the INSTITUTE OF MEMORY & COGNITION, TALLAGHT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, DUBLIN | Producer - Catriona Oliphant | Post-production - Catriona Oliphant & Chris Sharp FURTHER INFORMATION | TUH Institute of Memory & Cognition #themanyfacesofalzheimer's #TUHdementiaawareness  

In this episode, we join PROFESSOR SEÁN KENNELLY and the team for a Friday afternoon clinic and hear from BREDA COMISKEY who is living life to the full despite having Alzheimer’s. CONTRIBUTORS | Fionnuala Sweeney (Presenter), Professor Seán Kennelly & his clinical team, Breda Comiskey. MUSIC | composed and performed by Jon Henderson (guitar). PRODUCTION | ChromeRadio (www.chromemedia.co.uk) for the INSTITUTE OF MEMORY & COGNITION, TALLAGHT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, DUBLIN | Producer - Catriona Oliphant | Post-production - Catriona Oliphant & Chris Sharp FURTHER INFORMATION | TUH Institute of Memory & Cognition #themanyfacesofalzheimer's #TUHdementiaawareness

IN THIS EPISODE, we hear more from ADVANCED NURSE PRACTITIONER CATHY MCHALE about the assessment process.  We also meet other members of the multidisclipinary team involved in reaching a diagnosis – OCCUPATIONAL THERAPISTS, SPEECH & LANGUAGE THERAPISTS and NEUROLOGY – and learn what supports are available.  But first, we hear from RONAN SLATER, who was diagnosed with early onset dementia a few years ago, and his wife, CATHERINE. CONTRIBUTORS | Fionnuala Sweeney (Presenter), Professor Seán Kennelly, Ronan & Catherine Slater, Cathy McHale (Advanced Nurse Practitioner), Lisa Sheridan & Megan Ryan (Speech & Language Therapists), Fiona Tobin & Emma Nolan (Occupational Therapists), Dr Antoinette O’Connor & Dr Garret McDermott (Neurology). MUSIC | composed and performed by Jon Henderson (guitar). PRODUCTION | ChromeRadio (www.chromemedia.co.uk) for the INSTITUTE OF MEMORY & COGNITION, TALLAGHT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, DUBLIN | Producer - Catriona Oliphant | Post-production - Catriona Oliphant & Chris Sharp FURTHER INFORMATION | TUH Institute of Memory & Cognition #themanyfacesofalzheimer's #TUHdementiaawareness

In the NEXT THREE EPISODES, we meet clinicians and patients and learn what to expect upon referral to the Memory Service, the process of assessment and diagnosis, and the supports available after diagnosis.  We begin by joining PROFESSOR SEÁN KENNELLY in clinic where he is talking a patient through her diagnosis. She faced her fear, got herself referred, and it’s good news! CONTRIBUTORS | Fionnuala Sweeney (Presenter), Professor Seán Kennelly, patient, Dr Aoife Fallon (Consultant), Dr Naomi Davey & Cathy McHale (Advanced Nurse Practitioner). MUSIC | composed and performed by Jon Henderson (guitar). PRODUCTION | ChromeRadio (www.chromemedia.co.uk) for the INSTITUTE OF MEMORY & COGNITION, TALLAGHT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, DUBLIN | Producer - Catriona Oliphant | Post-production - Catriona Oliphant & Chris Sharp FURTHER INFORMATION | TUH Institute of Memory & Cognition #themanyfacesofalzheimer's #TUHdementiaawareness

The number of people being diagnosed with some form of dementia is increasing each year, with Alzheimer’s disease accounting for around 70% of cases.  By 2050, it’s estimated that 153 million people will be living with the disease. Diagnosis is complex as two people with the same disease, for example Alzheimer’s, can present with differing symptoms.  In the MEMORY SERVICE at TALLAGHT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, a multidisciplinary team works closely together to provide accurate and timely diagnosis, and then to support people after diagnosis to maintain the best quality of life possible.  In this series, we will hear from clinicians and patients about what to expect if you are referred to the Memory Service, the process of assessment and diagnosis, and the supports available after diagnosis.    In this FIRST EPISODE, we hear from PROFESSOR SEÁN KENNELLY about how the INSTITUTE OF MEMORY & COGNITION came into being, his team’s novel and inclusive approach to assessing and supporting people with dementia, and their families, and why there are reasons to be optimistic, even if you are diagnosed with a form of dementia. CONTRIBUTORS | Fionnuala Sweeney (Presenter) & Professor Seán Kennelly (Institute of Memory & Cognition, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin). MUSIC | composed and performed by Jon Henderson (guitar). PRODUCTION | ChromeRadio (www.chromemedia.co.uk) for the INSTITUTE OF MEMORY & COGNITION, TALLAGHT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, DUBLIN | Producer - Catriona Oliphant | Post-production - Catriona Oliphant & Chris Sharp FURTHER INFORMATION | TUH Institute of Memory & Cognition #themanyfacesofalzheimer's #TUHdementiaawareness  

IN THIS FINAL EPISODE, we rejoin BREDA COMISKEY, whom we met earlier in the series.  Despite having Alzheimer’s, Breda is living life to the full. Heartfelt thanks to PROFESSOR SEÁN KENNELLY and his inspirational team at the INSTITUTE OF MEMORY & COGNITION at TALLAGHT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL for opening their doors and talking to us about the incredible and innovative work they do, and to the patients who generously shared their stories, including RONAN SLATER and his wife, CATHERINE, and BREDA COMISKEY. They have shone a light on what remains a much feared and little understood disease and shown how it is possible to live life to the full even after diagnosis. We hope this will encourage anyone experiencing memory issues to have their symptoms checked out and, if diagnosed with dementia or a mild cognitive impairment, to receive the help and support they need. CONTRIBUTORS | Fionnuala Sweeney (Presenter), Professor Seán Kennelly & Breda Comiskey. MUSIC | composed and performed by Jon Henderson (guitar). PRODUCTION | ChromeRadio (www.chromemedia.co.uk) for the INSTITUTE OF MEMORY & COGNITION, TALLAGHT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, DUBLIN | Producer - Catriona Oliphant | Post-production - Catriona Oliphant & Chris Sharp FURTHER INFORMATION | TUH Institute of Memory & Cognition #themanyfacesofalzheimer's #TUHdementiaawareness

Welcome to this introduction to THE MANY FACES OF ALZHEIMER'S, brought to you by the INSTITUTE OF MEMORY & COGNITION at TALLAGHT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, DUBLIN.  Every three seconds, someone, somewhere in the world, develops dementia. The symptoms don’t always mean the cause is Alzheimer’s disease, but it is the most common type of dementia. Either way, getting help sooner can greatly extend your quality of life. Today, the supports available are greater than ever, and there are new medications coming online that can slow down the progress of the disease.    PRESENTER FIONNUALA SWEENEY’s father, Tom Sweeney, was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease after years of experiencing memory issues and died in late 2021.  After his death, she realised that for several years he had been keeping his concerns to himself. He had known something was wrong but didn’t seek help because of the stigma surrounding the disease. Fionnuala wanted to do something so that no-one experiencing memory difficulties need ever be afraid to seek help and so contacted PROFESSOR SEÁN KENNELLY at the INSTITUTE OF MEMORY & COGNITION at TALLAGHT UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, DUBLIN, a regional specialist memory service that is pioneering a novel and inclusive approach to the assessment and support of people with cognitive issues and dementia. This podcast series is the result. CONTRIBUTORS | Fionnuala Sweeney (Presenter) & Professor Seán Kennelly (Institute of Memory & Cognition, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin). MUSIC | composed and performed by Jon Henderson (guitar). PRODUCTION | ChromeRadio (www.chromemedia.co.uk) for the Institute of Memory & Cognition, Tallaght University Hospital, Dublin | Producer - Catriona Oliphant | Post-production - Catriona Oliphant & Chris Sharp FURTHER INFORMATION | TUH Institute of Memory & Cognition #themanyfacesofalzheimer's #TUHdementiaawareness

Each episode of the Let’s Talk About Down Syndrome series is targeted at individuals with Down syndrome, their families, carers, health and social care staff and anybody who has an interest in the health needs of adults with Down syndrome in Ireland. The series is hosted by Geraldine Kyle, a registered nurse tutor in TUH and mother of a young adult with Down syndrome. Episode #5 Professor of Ageing & Intellectual Disability at Trinity College Dublin Mary McCarron discusses with podcast host Geraldine Kyle the results of the Intellectual Disability Supplement to the Irish Longitudinal Comparative Study on Ageing. In this final episode she shares her thoughts on important ways that healthcare staff can support the health needs of people with Intellectual Disability including Down syndrome. Transcript for the episode is located at this link Check out the IDS TILDA reports and infographics Check out IDS TILDA education resources Check our IDS TILDA wave 5 Easy Read

Each episode of the Let’s Talk About Down Syndrome series is targeted at individuals with Down syndrome, their families, carers, health and social care staff and anybody who has an interest in the health needs of adults with Down syndrome in Ireland. The series is hosted by Geraldine Kyle, a registered nurse tutor in TUH and mother of a young adult with Down syndrome. Episode #4 Professor Seán Kennelly, Consultant Geriatrician & Clinical Director of the National Intellectual Disability Memory Service and his colleague Evelyn Reilly, Advanced Nurse Practitioner in the National Intellectual Disability Memory Service join Geraldine to discuss the relationship with dementia and Down syndrome and its prevalence. They also talk about what people should be aware of when considering the risks of dementia in people with Down syndrome, very practical advice on how to mind the brain as people with Down syndrome age. Transcript for the episode is located at this link Read more about the Memory Clinic in TUH Read more about Delirium Read more about  

Each episode of the Let’s Talk About Down Syndrome series is targeted at individuals with Down syndrome, their families, carers, health and social care staff and anybody who has an interest in the health needs of adults with Down syndrome in Ireland. The series is hosted by Geraldine Kyle, a registered nurse tutor in TUH and mother of a young adult with Down syndrome. Episode #3 Fran Kane, a member of the TUH Patient Community Advisory Council and a mother of a young adult with Down syndrome and Suzanne Kennedy, Acute Intellectual Disability Liaison Nurse in TUH discuss some of the important issues that face people with Down syndrome accessing hospital services. They stress the importance of effective communication and how helpful the HSE Health Passport can be in the healthcare journey in hospital. Transcript for the episode is located at this link Check out information about the HSE Health Passport A free App version can be downloaded to your smart phone from wherever you get your Apps.  

Each episode of the Let’s Talk About Down Syndrome series is targeted at individuals with Down syndrome, their families, carers, health and social care staff and anybody who has an interest in the health needs of adults with Down syndrome in Ireland. The series is hosted by Geraldine Kyle, a registered nurse tutor in TUH and mother of a young adult with Down syndrome. Episode #2 In this episode Geraldine is joined by Fiona McGrane, Clinical nurse Specialist in Down syndrome in Children’s Health Ireland and discusses the common health needs of people with Down syndrome and the importance of a smooth transition from the children to adult services, sharing  some practical advice to parents / carers. Transcript for the episode is located at this link Check out “The Medical Management Guidelines for Children and Adolescents with Down syndrome in Ireland” at Down syndrome Ireland - Health

Each episode of the Let’s Talk About Down syndrome series is targeted at individuals with Down syndrome, their families, carers, health and social care staff and anybody who has an interest in the health needs of adults with Down syndrome in Ireland. The series is hosted by Geraldine Kyle, a registered nurse tutor in TUH and mother of a young adult with Down syndrome. Episode #1 Nicola Hart, National Research & Support Specialist of Down syndrome Ireland and Ross O’Neill, Junior Administrator in Down syndrome Ireland speak to Geraldine and share valuable insights about the lived experience of someone living with Down syndrome and important communication strategies that healthcare staff should be aware of. Transcript for the episode is located at this link Check out the information and resources available at Down syndrome Ireland (DSI) Check out some examples of Easy Read resources Check out the information for healthcare professionals in supporting adults with Down syndrome in hospital              

Episode #4 – Let’s talk about brain health and the role our senses play Maria Domsa, Advanced Nurse Practitioner and Lisa Sheridan, Speech & Language Therapist talk about the important role our senses play in brain health. How these five senses are controlled by the brain, the importance of protecting these five senses and how important it is to protect them as we age. 

Episode #5 – Let’s talk about brain health and living well with dementia. Dr. Helena Dolphin, Specialist Registrar in Geriatric Medicine and Graham Knight, Clinical Nurse Manager talk about the risk factors associated with dementia and the important things that you can do to bolster the brains ability to protect a person who has dementia.