The Law Society has agreed to support the campaign by:

• Being listed as a campaign partner
• Raising awareness of dementia among our members and how to support people with dementia through training and online resources 
• Informing our members about brain health through training and education.

Understand Together

Launched in October 2016, Understand Together is a public support, awareness and information campaign led by the HSE, working with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland and Genio and supported by more than 30 Irish partners, including the Law Society.

It aims to:

• inspire people from all sections of society to stand together with the 500,000 Irish people whose families have been affected by dementia, and
• create an Ireland that embraces and includes people living with dementia, and which displays solidarity with them and their loved ones.

The campaign is one of six key elements of the National Dementia Strategy and has been made possible through a funding partnership between the State and The Atlantic Philanthropies. 

What is Dementia?

Dementia is not one specific condition - it is caused by diseases which affect the brain and result in loss of function for the person. These diseases affect the parts of the brain which are normally used for learning, memory, decision-making and language and dementia is the umbrella term for the symptoms and loss of function which people experience when they are affected.

Two thirds of dementia are caused by Alzheimer’s disease. The second most common type is vascular dementia, caused by conditions which affect the blood circulation in the brain. It is usually progressive, which means the symptoms get worse over time. 

Most people with dementia are over 65 but it is not a normal part of ageing. Dementia also affects younger people, described as having early or young onset dementia.

It is different for everyone - what people experience, and how quickly they are affected is unique to them. What they can do, remember and understand may change from day to day.

Dementia facts and figures

• Currently 55,000 people are living with dementia in Ireland - this number is expected to double by 2031.

• In Ireland, approximately 500,000 people live in families that have been affected by dementia.

• There are over 4,000 people under 65 years of age living with dementia in Ireland.

• The majority of people (30,000) living with dementia in Ireland live in the community.

Learn more

For more information about Dementia whether for yourself, a family member or a client, visit the Understand Together website.