The Alzheimer Society of Ireland (The ASI), in partnership with Frascati Centre, proudly launched Dublin’s first dementia-inclusive shopping centre recently. Officially launched by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Jack Chambers TD, this initiative is another important milestone in The ASI’s mission to make Ireland’s towns, cities, and communities dementia-inclusive.
As part of this initiative, Frascati Centre management, retail staff, and store teams will participate in dementia-inclusive workshops provided by The ASI. The workshops will equip staff with the knowledge and skills to create a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive environment for people living with dementia and their families.
Topics covered in the dementia-inclusive workshops include: What is Dementia? Signs and Symptoms, Communication, and Creating a Dementia Inclusive Community.
Frascati Centre is now the first shopping centre in Dublin to receive the Dementia-Inclusive Community Friends of ASI accreditation, proudly displaying the emblem as a symbol of its commitment. This follows the trailblazing example of Mahon Point Shopping Centre in Cork, which became Ireland’s first dementia-inclusive shopping centre in 2023.
Speaking at the launch, Minister Chambers said: “It’s a privilege to officially launch Dublin’s first dementia-inclusive shopping centre, the Frascati Centre. At the heart of this initiative is a simple but powerful idea: That everyone deserves to feel welcome, understood and supported where we live, shop and connect with our local community. The Government remains deeply committed to helping people live well with dementia, and creating inclusive, compassionate spaces like this is a vital part of that commitment. When communities come together to make everyday environments more accessible, we nurture a culture of care, dignity and belonging for all.”
Viv Gaine, Frascati Centre Director, said: “At Frascati, our customer safety, security and well-being is of key importance, and hence our engagement with The Alzheimer Society of Ireland for our management teams and store staff to undertake this valuable training and understanding of the needs of some of our customers. This will enable us to be more attentive and reactive and hence, enhance their shopping experience. We are honoured to be accredited as Dublin’s first dementia-inclusive shopping centre.”
Head of Operations at The ASI, Siobhan O’Connor, said: “This is a wonderful milestone in our mission to make Ireland’s towns, cities, and communities dementia-inclusive. We’re deeply grateful to the Frascati Centre management and tenants for taking this bold step. We hope other shopping centres will follow their shining example and help build a society where people with dementia and their families can live with dignity, understanding, and compassion.”
At the launch, it was also announced that there will be a new social activity called ‘Coffee & chat’ for people with young onset dementia and early stage dementia taking place in Kay’s Kitchen, on the first floor of the Frascati Centre, on a regular basis going forward. For more information about this Friends of ASI initiative, please contact friendsofasi@alzheimer.ie.
