Celebrate 'your incredible brain' on International Women’s Day
Discover how to look after your brain and reduce your risk of developing dementia
Soroptimist Mullingar and District are holding a free information event on how to look after the brain and reduce the risk of developing dementia, to mark International Women’s Day, on Friday March 8.
In a media statement this week, the local Soroptimist group said: “Your brain is who you are.
It is your thoughts and feelings and memories. It is curious and creative and it needs to be protected. We need to look after our brain health because there’s no health without brain health and it’s core to your wellbeing and quality of life.
“There are things you can do to protect your brain, you can build reserve in your brain that protects you from ‘wear and tear’ effects of ageing and potentially decrease your risk of dementia. There are 12 potentially modifiable risk factors for dementia which if addressed could reduce dementia by up to 40%.”
Speaking on the topic at the event will be guest speakers Cathy McHale, registered advanced nurse practitioner in the Institute of Memory and Cognition of Tallaght University Hospital; Fiona Foley, HSE National Dementia Office Senior project manager dementia: Understand Together and Brain Health; and Kim Tully, chief executive of Engaging Dementia, a registered charity providing resources for those who care for people with dementia.
Some 64,000 people are currently living with dementia in Ireland, and that number is expected to more than double in the next 25 years.
The most common causes of dementia are Alzheimer’s Disease, Vascular Dementia, Mixed Dementia and Lewy Body Dementia.
As well as brain health, the speakers will also talk about The Understand Together Campaign, a public support, awareness and information campaign led by the HSE, working with the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI).
“Soroptimist Mullingar and District are delighted to see the recent initiatives by ASI for this campaign in Mullingar and look forward to having Mullingar become a dementia inclusive community supporting people with dementia which is in keeping with the United Nations theme ‘Inspire Inclusion’ for this years’ celebration of International Women’s Day.”
International Women’s Day celebrates the achievements of women all across the world, a key day for Soroptimists, who work voluntarily to inspire action to help women and girls achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in communities worldwide
All are welcome to this free information session in the Annebrook House Hotel, Mullingar on Friday 8 March, 11am-1pm. For further information contact 086 2552720 or soroptimistmullingar@gmail.com.