A new resource to help secondary school children learn more about dementia and how the brain works, has been published.

The Brain - from the fantastic to the forgetful aims to give young people more insight into the workings of the brain, positive ageing and dementia. It has been published by the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre in St James's Hospital in Dublin.

Around 55,000 people in Ireland are currently living with dementia and this figure is expected to rise significantly in the coming decades, hitting 132,000 by 2041.

As a result of these increasing numbers, more young people can expect to come into contact with people with dementia in the future, whether this is within their own family or in the wider community.

According to recent Irish research, while half of people know or have known someone with dementia, just one-quarter believe they have a good understanding of the condition.

Furthermore, many people are unaware that maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk or delay onset of dementia. As a result, educating people at an early age about risk factors is essential.

"Attitudes and behavior towards older people, including those with dementia, are established at an early age. By educating school children about ageing and dementia, we can contribute to the development of a more inclusive and more tolerant society, where people with dementia are treated with dignity and respect and afforded opportunities for full participation," commented Prof Suzanne Cahill, director of the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre.

The school-based resource is made up of a teacher's manual and student workbook and it includes information on how a healthy lifestyle, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet, can have a big impact on the brain.

The resource was piloted at James's Street CBS in Dublin and according to its principal, Paul McEntee, it was ‘a new experience' for students. He noted that while many had relatives with dementia, the link between brain health and lifestyle was largely unknown. For example, the link between drinking alcohol and dementia ‘had never been considered' by students.

"I judge the success of any programme by the views of the students. They have given it a resounding thumbs-up for the course content and the professional presentation of the course. I might add they are a hard bunch to please! I hope this programme continues especially in light of the drinking culture among teenagers in Ireland," Mr McEntee said.

The Dementia Services Information and Development Centre added that providing young people with the opportunity to learn more about this condition will help to shape and inform ‘a new dementia-friendly generation'.

The resource can be integrated into Junior Cycle subjects SPHE (social, political and health education) and CPSE (civic, social and political education), science and wellbeing in junior cycle, transition year science and transition year units.