| Alzheimer Care Centre - Caring now and for the future. |
| Alzheimer Care Centre - The Background |
| In 1989, responding to increased demand from Social Workers, General
Practitioners, non-specialist Nursing Homes and Families, the Group
launched plans for the first purpose-built Alzheimer Care Centre
in the country.
In 1990, following consultations with the Alzheimer Society of
Ireland and other specialist units abroad, the first sod was turned
by the then Minister for Health, Dr. Rory O'Hanlon. The Minister
returned in May 1991 to formally open The Alzheimer Care Centre,
which continues to operate successfully today, caring for the mobile
confused. |
 |
|
In the year 2000, to inaugurate the hospitals 175 years in practice,
plans were unveiled by An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern to
build another 32-bedded unit offering high
dependency care for sufferers with advanced dementia.
In January 2002, the Minister for Health, Mr. Micheál Martin
duly opened the High Dependency Unit. |
| Alzheimer Care Centre - The Aims |
- To provide an initial assessment of each patients mental,
physical and social skills and, arising from this, to guide the
patient and the patients family on the future care and treatment
needed.
- To encourage patients participation in a variety of activities
and so stimulate the memory process.
- To promote the concept of minimal use of medication by
providing an uncomplicated, serene and spacious environment where
patients can move about freely.
- To maximise the patients quality of life so that dignity
is maintained throughout the illness.
|
|
| Alzheimer Care Centre - The Care |
- Long stay, short stay and day care facilities for patients
with a dementia related illness.
- Consultant Psychiatrist attached to the Centre.
- 24 hour specialist nursing care.
- Daily activities and therapy programmes.
|
|
| Alzheimer Care Centre - The Building |
- 12,000-sq. ft. single storey, open plan in mature parkland setting.
- 32 Private rooms, furnished to the highest standards, each
with beautiful garden views.
- Colour coding of doors to encourage patients awareness
of surroundings and to maximise independence.
- Spacious, bright outer corridors form a large internal
square walk area to encourage maximum mobility.
- Comfortably appointed recreational and television areas
located at the four corners of the internal walk area.
- Private garden.
- Private chapel.
|
|
| The High Dependency Unit |
| High Dependency Unit - The Aims |
- To provide intensive nursing care appropriate to individuals
identified as having a serious age related mental health issue.
- High nurse to patient ratio.
- The interdisciplinary team is dedicated to providing high
quality care and support in the least restrictive setting as possible.
This will improve quality of life and allow patients to function
at the highest possible level.
- To create an environment of tranquillity and peace suitable
to sufferers needs.
- This new high dependency unit complements our existing
services and allows us to offer total patient management and a continuity
of care to this particular client group.
|
 |
| High Dependency Unit - The Care |
- To cater for the advancement of this illness in a hospice setting.
- To accept sufferers with challenging physical needs such
as peg feeding and stroke sequilae.
|
 |
| High Dependency Unit - The Building |
- An open plan structure providing a unique large pentagonal
day/activity area.
- Four spacious wards, each with its own bathing/showering
and toilet area.
- Each ward has a two bedded glass portioned unit which enables
more privacy and for those who have challenging problems. Two single
rooms for the very ill and as a family rest over.
- The wards are bright and have exquisite garden views.
- The main atrium provides a very pleasant living area and
from there the garden can be accessed, where, on a fine day, patients
can relax beside the tranquil water feature.
|
 |
