Skip to main content

Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin

Menu Search


Trinity College Dublin By using this website you consent to the use of cookies in accordance with the Trinity cookie policy. For more information on cookies see our cookie policy.

      
Profile Photo

Professor Suzanne Cahill

(Sch Office - Social Work & Social Policy)
      
Profile Photo

Professor Suzanne Cahill

(Sch Office - Social Work & Social Policy)

 Suzanne.Cahill@tcd.ie

 


Suzanne Cahill is an Adjunct Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at Trinity College. She also holds an Honorary Professorship in Dementia Care from the University of Galway and is an affiliated Professor in Health and Welfare at the University of Jönköping in Sweden. She has a Bachelors Degree and Masters in Social Science from University College Dublin, a Diploma in Social Studies from the University of Stockholm and a PhD from the University of Queensland, Australia. She has over 35 years experience working in the field of Social Work and Social Policy where she has been employed as practitioner, lecturer and researcher. Her PhD written in Australia was on dementia, social policy and the interface between formal and informal caregiving. On returning to Ireland in 1999, Suzanne set up The Dementia Services Information and Development Centre - a Centre of Excellence at St James Hospital Dublin and for close to 20 years as National Director, she developed its educational, research and information services. During this period she also taught courses on Ageing and Dementia to Social Work and Social Policy undergraduates. More recently she was awarded a large grant from the Atlantic Philanthropies to establish a programme of post-graduate research in dementia care and psycho-social interventions. This programme based in Trinity College was the first of its kind in Ireland, to train post-graduate students with the skills required to undertake research into psychosocial aspects of dementia care. Through the programme Suzanne has graduated a large number of Masters and PhD students and has supervised Post-Docs. During her career in Australia and Ireland, Suzanne has campaigned tirelessly for the rights of people living with dementia. She was the lead author of the research report commissioned by the government to underpin Ireland's first National Dementia Strategy and the subsequent report that followed designed to raise awareness. She was co-founder of Ireland's first Alzheimer Cafe and has written and produced several educational videos and other toolkits for health service professionals. She is the sole author of two books recently published (2018 and 2020). The first concerns Dementia and Human Rights and the second addresses the topic of Family Caregiving and Dementia in Ireland. Her new book - a Practice Guide for Health Service Professionals, commissioned by Jessica Kingsley and co-authored with colleagues Dr Helen Rochford Brennan and Professor Fiona Kelly is due for publication later this year. Suzanne's research interests straddle four inter-related areas namely: (i) young-onset dementia; (ii) quality of life and residential care, (iii) chronic disease management, GPs and dementia and (iv) autonomy, capacity, personhood and human rights. Her work has been published in a wide range of medical and social science journals including: the Australian Journal of Social Issues, the Australian-Asian Journal on Ageing, International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, Ageing and Mental Health, Age and Ageing, Ageing in Society, the Australian Journal of Family Studies, Technology and Disability, Alzheimer's disease and Associated Disorders, Research on Ageing, Australian Social Work and the Scandinavian Journal for Social Medicine. In recent years Suzanne has been a regular contributor to the Irish Times opinion pieces on dementia and ageing related topics.
Project Title
 An Irish National Survey of Dementia in Long Stay Residential Care
From
2013
To
2015
Summary
In Ireland we have limited knowledge of the numbers of people with dementia living in dementia specific units. Since 2009 all registered nursing homes in Ireland must undergo regular inspections in accordance with a set of national residential care standards (HIQA,2009). Supplementary criteria for use in dementia specific residential care units have also been developed for use during inspections. These criteria pay particular attention to the physical environment including its design and architectural lay out, the type of meaningful activities and psycho-social interventions available, assessment procedures and staff training. To date no information is available in Ireland on the extent to which these criteria are implemented during inspections or how compliance is monitored. The main purpose of this survey was to collect information on the number and location of specialist care units for people with dementia in the republic of Ireland. The national survey also sought to identify differences and similarities between the different provider types, the HSE or public provider, the voluntary (not for profit providers) and the private sector.
Funding Agency
The Dementia Services Information and Development Centre
Project Title
 Evaluation of Genio Dementia Programme
From
January 2013
To
January 2015
Summary
There are two components to this evaluation project. The first consists of updating in accordance with Census 2011 data, dementia prevalence rates in the four geographical areas where the Genio projects are currently taking place. The second component involves an evaluation of the new respite care services being introduced at two of the Genio sites, in Stillorgan/Blackrock and Clonmel. The key objective of the respite evaluation is to examine obstacles and facilitators to the use of respite care services for people living with dementia in the community. Outputs will include a major research report and a seminar or workshop.
Funding Agency
Genio
Project Type
Research Evaluation
Project Title
 Research Recommendations for Dementia and Home Design for Ireland looking at new build and retrofitting homes from a Universal Design Approach
From
December 2012
To
September 2013
Summary
This study which aims to produce a set of guidelines for architects involved in building or retrofitting homes for people with dementia has been commissioned by the Centre for Universal Design at the National Disability Authority. Whilst a lot of attention has recently been focused on customising nursing homes for people with dementia less is known about adapting and retrofitting domestic dwellings for those living with dementia in the community to help them cope better with their disability. This project addresses this task. The work is being jointly undertaken by staff from the DSIDC's Living with Dementia Programme at Trinity College and TrinityHaus. The project involves a literature review, in-depth interviews with key stakeholders including people with dementia and their caregivers, a review of Case Studies and a number of workshops. It is hoped that the guidelines developed will help people with dementia to remain living at home safely and securely for as long as possible.
Funding Agency
Centre for Universal Design (NDA)
Project Type
Inter-Disciplinary Research Project
Project Title
 Post-Graduate research in dementia care
From
2007
To
2013
Summary
The primary aim of this programme is to conduct research into optimum care for people diagnosed with dementia. Key activities include the recruitment and supervison of young academics to develop research competencies in areas previously under-investigated in Ireland, the development of collaborative arrangements between care environments such as nursing homes, day care centres and hospitals and research centres and the training of PhD students in the area of dementia care. A seminar series and annual conference with invited national and international speakers is also an integral component of this programme as is the dissemination of research findings. Several of the works published in peer reviewed journals have now been made available to the public in the format of information kits and booklets. These can be downloaded from our website.
Funding Agency
The Atlantic Philanthropies
Project Type
Research and Education
Project Title
 Creating an Evidence Base to Develop a National Dementia Strategy for Ireland
From
October 10
To
June 2012
Summary
This research review was commissioned by the government, funded by the Atlantic Philanthropies and undertaken to inform the Department of Health and Children in its development of a National Dementia Strategy. The review was undertaken in collaboration with Professor Eamon O'Shea, from the Centre for Gerontology NUI, Galway. It involved identifying, reviewing, interpreting and synthesizing all relevant national and international research data pertinent to the development of an Irish Dementia Strategy. New dementia prevalence rates for Ireland (current and future) have been estimated and new estimates provided for the cost of dementia care in Ireland. A report titled "Creating Excellence in Dementia" : A Research Review for Ireland's National Dementia Strategy was published in January 2012 and launched by the Minister for Health at Trinity College. This was later followed up by the publication of a guide to dementia for lay people titled - " Future Dementia Care in Ireland: Sharing the Evidence to Mobilise Action, which was launched by Minister Kathleen Lynch in Trinity College in June 2012.
Funding Agency
The Atlantic Philanthropies
Project Type
Research Review

Page 1 of 2
Details Date
Member of Department of Health's National Monitoring and Implementation Committee on Ireland's National Dementia Strategy 2015-2021
Member of Department of Health's Working Group on National Dementia Strategy 2013-2014
Member of HIQA Advisory Group for the revision of the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland 2013
Co-Founder and Chairperson of Donnybrook (Dublin) Alzheimer's Cafe 2012-2013
Member of EngAge - Trinity Ageing Consortium 2012-2013
Member of the Ageing Well Network 2007-2013
Chair of National Dementia Advisory Committee 2010-2011
Steering Committee Member Trinity Consortium in Ageing 2008-2010
Working Group Member on Restraint in Designated Centres for Older People (Department of Health and Children) 2010 on
Working Group Member (HIQA) on the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People 2007-2008
Chairperson and Member of Working Group (HSE) on Residential Services for the Person with Dementia 2006-2007
Steering Committee Member of the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre, St James Hospital 1999-2007
Advisory Committee Member of the Dementia Services Information and Development Centre, St James Hospital 1999-2007
Language Skill Reading Skill Writing Skill Speaking
French Fluent Medium Basic
Irish Fluent Medium Basic
Swedish Basic Basic Basic
Details Date From Date To
Interdem Member 2005
The Gerontological Society of America
Cahill, S., Bielsten, T. and Zarit, S.H., (2023). experiences from Research on Aging, 45(3-4), pp.385-395., Developing a Framework for the support of informal caregivers: Experiences from Sweden Ireland and the United States of America, Research on Aging, 45, (4), 2023, p385 - 395, Journal Article, PUBLISHED
Cahill,S., Personhood dementia literacy and the causes and consequences of Alzheimer's disease fear , International Psychogeriatrics , 2021, Journal Article, ACCEPTED
Cahill, S , New analytical tools and frameworks to understand dementia: What can a human-rights lens offer? , Ageing and Society , 2021, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text
Cahill, S., Perspectives on the Person with Dementia and Family Caregiving in Ireland, Manchester, Peter Lang, 2021, 1 - 147pp, Book, IN_PRESS
Fox, Siobhán ; McGowan, Rachel ; Kilty, Caroline, Young Onset Dementia: A Review of Diagnostic and Post-diagnostic Processes and Pathways, Tullamore, National Dementia Office, 2020, Report, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text
Cahill, WHO's Global Action Plan on the Public Health Response to Dementia (2017-2025): Some opportunities and challenges , Ageing and Mental Health , 2019, p197 - 199, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  URL
Cahill, Suzanne, Peer Review on"Improving reconciliation of work and long-term care", 2018, 1-9, Report, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text
Cahill , Dementia and Human Rights , First , United Kingdom, Policy Press , 2018, 1 - 238pp, Notes: [doi.org/10.1017/S0144686X18001046], Book, PUBLISHED
Donnelly S, Cahill S, O'Neill D, Care Planning Meetings for Older People: Issues for Policy, Multidisciplinary Practice and Patient Participation, Practice, 30, (1), 2018, p53 - 71, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI  URL
Cahill Suzanne, Diaz-Ponce Ana , Quality of Life of Members of a Religious Community living in Long Term Care , Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith , 69, (4), 2017, p206 - 216, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text
  

Page 1 of 7
Aida Suárez-González, Gill Livingston, Lee-Fay-Low, Suzanne Cahill, Niamh Hennelly, Walter D. Dawson, Wendy Weidner, Martina Bocchetta, Cleusa P. Ferri, Jordi A Matias-Guiu, Suvarna Alladi, Christine Wayua Musyimi, Adelina Comas-Herrera, Impact and mortality of COVID-19 on people living with dementia: cross-country report, International Long-Term Care Policy Network, 2020, Report, PUBLISHED
Hennelly, N., Cahill, S., The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on people living with dementia in Ireland, International Long Term Care Policy Network, 2020, Report, PUBLISHED
Eamon O'Shea, Suzanne Cahill and Maria Pierce , Developing and Implementing Dementia Policy in Ireland , Ireland , December , 2017, p1 - 144, Report, PUBLISHED
Cahill, S., O'Nolan, C., O'Caheny, D., & Boberksy, A., An Irish National Survey of Dementia in Long Stay Residential Care , DSIDC , DSIDC , January , 2015, p1 - 53, Report, PUBLISHED
Pierce, M., Cahill, S., & O'Shea, E., Prevalence and Projections of Dementia in Ireland, 2011 Report prepared for Genio Ltd , November , 2014, p1 - 27, Report, PUBLISHED
Cahill, S., Pierce, M., & Bobersky, A. , An Evaluation of Flexible Respite Options of the Living Wel with Dementia Project in Stillorgan Blackrock , Genio LtD Mullingar , December , 2014, p1 - 41, Report, PUBLISHED
Cahill, S., Pierce, M., & Bobersky, A, An Evaluation Report on the Dementia Support Worker Initiative of the Five Steps to Living Well with Dementia in South Tipperary , Genio LtD , December , 2014, p1 - 51, Report, PUBLISHED
Dementia and Quality of Life Issues in Older People in, editor(s)Phellas, Constantinos , Aging in European Societies, 2013, [Ponce-Diaz, A. & Cahill, S.], Book Chapter, PUBLISHED
Cahill, S., O'Shea, E & Pierce, M. , Future Dementia Care in Ireland: Sharing the Evidence to Mobilise Action , Trinity College Dublin , June , 2012, p1 - 36, Report, PUBLISHED
Cahill, S., O'Shea, E., & Pierce, M., Creating Excellence in Dementia Care, Dublin, Ireland, January, 2012, 1-168, Report, PUBLISHED

  


Page 1 of 2
Award Date
Affiliated Professor of health and welfare, Institute of Gerontology, Jönköping University 2019-2021
Honorary Award of Professorship in Dementia Care from NUI Galway 2018-2023
Council of Europe Scholarship 1985-1986
PhD Scholarship Award The University of Queensland 1991
My research interests are in the area of (i) human rights and dementia, (ii) how social policy interfaces with formal and informal caregiving (iii) GPs, diagnosis and disclosure of dementia and (iv) quality of life and quality of care issues. I have published articles, book chapters and many different reports on these topics. I have a commitment to translational research and to ensuring that research findings are made available to lay people and used to help improve the quality of life for all those affected by dementia.