Mahon Point to become Ireland's first dementia-inclusive shopping centre 

MAHON Point Shopping Centre is set to become the first dementia-inclusive shopping centre in the country.

On Tuesday, representatives from the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (The ASI) and Mahon Point Shopping Centre will officially launch the initiative which will see the store work to create a space where every individual can navigate the centre with ease.

Management and staff across the store will be partaking in dementia-inclusive training from the ASI which will allow Mahon Point to provide a welcoming and positive shopping environment to people living with dementia and their families.

Topics will include What is Dementia? Signs and Symptoms, Communication, and Creating a Dementia Inclusive Community.

Mahon Point will then become the first shopping centre in Ireland to be awarded the Dementia Inclusive Community Friends of ASI accreditation and display the emblem.

An estimated 7,509 people live with dementia in Cork, and more than 11,000 people develop the disease annually — at least 30 people daily.

Nationally, the number of people with the condition is expected to double in the next 25 years to over 150,000 by 2045.

General manager at Mahon Point Justin Young said the shopping centre is delighted to partner with the ASI as it plans to become Ireland’s first dementia-friendly shopping centre.

“Together with our retail stores, we aim to create a space where every individual can navigate with ease and dignity, ensuring inclusivity for all,” he said.

Siobhan O’Connor, head of operations at the ASI, added: “We’re so grateful to the Mahon Point management team and its tenants for taking the brave steps to become the first of its kind in Ireland.

“We hope that more centres will follow their shining example and join Mahon Point to create an Ireland where people with dementia and their families can carry out their daily lives securely.”

Ms O’Connor said that Mahon Point will welcome people living with dementia and their families to the shopping centre on Tuesday “to celebrate this wonderful initiative”.