The Founder’s Story

Louise Donaghy — the story behind Hugo

Louise Donaghy, founder of The Dementia Companion

Hugo was born from lived experience.

My understanding of dementia began through my grandfather’s journey with dementia, but it grew much further through my work over the last 10 years as a dementia companion practitioner. My grandfather has since passed away.

During that time, I have supported people living with dementia, their families and those around them through the everyday realities that dementia can bring.

I saw repeatedly how difficult it could be to find practical, person-centred guidance in one place when it was actually needed.

That experience became the foundation for The Dementia Companion, The Dementia Assistant® and ultimately Hugo.

Hugo wasn’t created simply because AI technology became available.

He was created from years of lived and professional experience, and from understanding the questions, challenges and situations that arise in real life.

Today, Hugo sits at the heart of The Dementia Assistant® — helping families, professionals and organisations access guidance, learning, care planning, documentation, resources and person-centred support through one connected ecosystem.

How The Dementia Companion, The Dementia Assistant® and Hugo fit together

The Dementia Companion is the public home for guidance, learning and resources. The Dementia Assistant® is the separate, connected platform for support and care planning. Hugo is the guide inside The Dementia Assistant®, helping people explore questions and find relevant resources.

The limits of this guidance

These resources and Hugo offer general educational guidance, not a diagnosis, individual medical advice or a replacement for professional assessment. They are not an emergency service or human overnight support. Urgent health or safety concerns need appropriate local professional or emergency help.