Pamela Dunne

Pamela Dunne CNSp, RNID, MSc, works in the Memory Clinic in the Daughters of Charity Disability Support Service providing an outreach service in Dublin, Limerick and Tipperary. She has 35 years experience working with children and adults with an intellectual disability (ID) in a variety of roles ranging from teaching, social and recreational to nursing.

In her current role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNSp) in dementia in intellectual disability she works closely with people with an ID, their families, the multi-disciplinary team and support staff in providing a comprehensive service offering baseline screening, dementia assessment and diagnosis and follow up care and supports for those diagnosed with dementia.

She provides training to staff at all levels within the service to ensure that those diagnosed with dementia receive care and support from people who have the knowledge and skills to perform their role effectively.

Pamela's research interests include aging well with an intellectual disability and psycho-social approaches to care. Pamela has led out on an award winning project 'Creating Digital Life Stories using iPad technology' in the Daughters of Charity Disability Support Service.

This project won the Dementia Elevator award in 2015 and under her leadership has continued to expand throughout the service. She has given seminars to people with an intellectual disability and their staff within the service on 'Promoting Brain Health' endorsing the view that cognitive reserve may allow people to cope better with age-related brain changes. Pamela holds a Masters in Dementia from Trinity College Dublin.