Speaker
Carmel Geoghegan
Founder, advocate for Care/Support/Human Rights and Brain Health, Ireland
Biography :
Carmel Geoghegan is an Irish dementia advocate, community development practitioner, and founder of Dementia Ireland Empowering Communities. Her advocacy work began after becoming the primary carer for her mother, Angela, who received a late diagnosis of vascular/frontotemporal dementia. This personal experience inspired her to campaign for improved dementia awareness, person-centered care, human rights, and support services for people living with dementia and their families. Geoghegan established Dementia Ireland Empowering Communities to reduce stigma surrounding dementia, educate communities, and empower individuals affected by the condition to participate in decisions that impact their lives. Through workshops, conferences, public engagement, and collaboration with healthcare professionals, researchers, policymakers, and community organizations, she promotes inclusive, dementia-friendly communities across Ireland. With a background in community development dating back to the early 1990s, she has contributed to national and international dementia advocacy initiatives, public and patient involvement (PPI) programs, research advisory boards, and human rights campaigns. Her work emphasizes the importance of ensuring that the voices of people living with dementia and their caregivers remain central to policy, research, and service development.
