Tag: lived experience

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Understanding emotional barriers to community dementia care services in Ireland: A caregiver perspective

Social Lives

Author: Linzi Ryan, Assistant Professor in Department of Design Innovation

Image of elderly individual lying in bed close up, face not in shot. Hand being held by what looks to be a carer's hand. 10.2307_community.12138140-1 Linzi Oct Post

Dementia is the greatest global challenge for health and social care in the 21st century with an estimated 47 million individuals diagnosed worldwide, with this number projected to rise to 131.5 million by 2050. The majority of people with dementia live in community settings, supported by family and friends (also known as informal caregivers) who provide care services.  As dementia is a progressive disease characterized by cognitive and functional decline, over time people with dementia become increasingly dependent on support services.  Research has shown that Community Based Services (CBS), which aim to coordinate the treatment and care of people with dementia, can potentially provide a better quality of life for the care receiver, enable them to remain at home for longer, and be more cost effective then residential care.   Despite these benefits of CBS, people with dementia and caregivers use fewer services in comparison to other people in need of care.  While societal, cultural, and logistical factors affecting caregiver use of CBS are frequently studied, research of internal emotional barriers, mental limitations created by one’s own self that prevents open communication of thoughts and feelings, and their effect on CBS use is limited. 

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I do not volunteer. I am a volunteer.

UN International Volunteer Day Image

Stories/Lived Experience

Author: Dr. Emma Smith, Postdoctoral Researcher, AT2030, ALL Institute, Department of Psychology, Maynooth University

Emma Smith Profile Pic

A few weeks ago, I was asked by a fellow volunteer, “Why do you do this?” My answer wasn’t eloquent and was far from complete. I talked about my passion for the cause (that seems to be a given). I spoke about having a skillset I felt I could contribute to help build community. I talked about getting more from the organizations I work with than I ever put in. However, as the weeks have passed, I’ve realized it’s deeper than that – not everyone with passion and a skillset contributes as a volunteer. They contribute to their communities in other ways – they go above and beyond in their work lives, they raise incredible kids who inspire a generation, and they are committed friends and family members.

What is it that makes a volunteer?

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New Section: Stories/ Lived Experiences

Stories/ Lived Experience

Author: Delia Ferri, ALL Institute, Department of Law, Maynooth University

We have decided to include a new section in this blog that will gather emotions and insights into people’s real lives.

We will learn about people’s habits, ways of seeing and doing, perceptions, reactions to norms and power-relations. We will learn about life trajectories, transitions and transformations during the course of a lifetime. We will also learn about turning points – critical moments in which people change their directions – where they take another pathway. In some we will learn about the way in which social structures, social lives and social technologies impact on people’s every-day experiences, and shape their contexts and their opportunities.

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Me and My Diabetes

Stories/ Lived Experience

World Diabetes Day 14 November Logo

Authors: Layla May and Deirdre Forde, ALL Institute, Maynooth University

This story was written by Layla May and supported by Deirdre Forde, who is a member of the ALL Institute, Maynooth University. 

The lived experience piece authored by little Layla May aims to mark the World Diabetes Day, which is celebrated on 14th  November  every year. It also aims to raise awareness about children with diabetes and their experience.

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus Type 1 (T1DM) is a chronic autoimmune condition in which the pancreas stops making the hormone insulin. Insulin helps control blood glucose levels and allows glucose (from carbohydrate in the diet) to move from the blood into body cells for energy. The brain uses glucose as fuel so low blood glucose levels are dangerous in the short term and if not recognised and treated can result in collapse and seizure. High blood sugars can lead to other complications for someone with diabetes.

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