Slieve Russell is first dementia friendly hotel in Ireland
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Proud day for Slieve Russell Hotel L-R: - Louise Fulton, People and Culture Assistant Manager Slieve Russell; Collette McCaffrey, Gift Shop Attendant; Dixie Swaden, Duty Manager Slieve Russell; Andy Heffernan, Chief Execttive ASI; Orla Murphy, People and Culture Manager at Slieve Russell; Heather Cassidy, Community Engagement Officer North West; Grace O’Reilly, Assistant Accommodation Manager; Lisa Anderson, Chef in Slieve Russell; Kathriona Crowe, Quality and Training Manager. Picture: Sean McMahon.Image 2 of 3
Nursing Homes Staff (from left): Laura Reilly, Oakview Nursing Home; Brendan Vesey, Oakview Nursing Home; Denise Tully, John Sullivan Centre; Dessie Ronan, Castle Manor Nursing Home; Mary McEvoy, Castle Manor; Ann Egan, Castle Manor; Sheila Brady, Oakview and Mildred Morton, Oakview.Image 3 of 3
Chief Executive of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland officially opens two dementia friendly rooms at the Slieve Russell Hotel. From left: Heather Cassidy, Community Engagement Officer North West; Orla Murphy, People and Culture Manager at Slieve Russell; Mildred Morton, Vice Chairperson of Cavan Alzheimer’s Society; Kathriona Crowe, Quality and Training Manager, Slieve Russell; Andy Heffernan, Chief Executive ASI; Carole Beattie, chairperson of the Cavan branch of ASI; James Nevin, Treasurer Cavan branch of ASI and Brian McDermott, chairman of the Cavan Older People’s Council. PHOTOS: Sean McMahonThere were celebrations at the Slieve Russell Hotel in Ballyconnell recently when it was officially declared the first dementia/Alzheimer’s friendly hotel in Ireland.
It follows the official opening of two specially-transformed bedrooms by the Chief Executive of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland (ASI), Andy Heffernan.
A special tea party was organised to mark the occasion to which residents and staff from local nursing homes were invited and entertainment.
A delighted Mr Heffernan had much praise for the staff and management of the Slieve Russell on this intiative.
“I have heard of all the great work that has been happening in the hotel, for an establishment to be so proactive in relation to people living with dementia is so important.
“I also want to acknowledge the work that has gone into making this to become a reality. For someone to come here for a weekend or midweek break and have that reassurance that staff here know exactly how to deal with the situation as they find it,” he said.
Mr Heffernan stressed that people living with dementia should keep on living a good life and enjoying breaks away with their loved ones, despite the challenges.
Among the special features in the room include different coloured frames on the bedrooms to make them stand out; small fridges in the rooms and blinds that can be pulled down over mirrors, which can sometimes be problematic for people with dementia, explains Kathriona Crowe, Quality and Training Manager.
There are also special electric kettles in the rooms, which can rotate and swivel on their base without falling over.
Picture and little memory books in the rooms can take people back in time.
The clock not alone tells the time, but what day it is and whether it is morning or afternoon. The bed clothes are designed to provide definition and outline of the bed and this is all complimented by a walk-in shower and additional grab rails.
Dementia Champions
Orla Murphy, People and Culture Manager at Slieve Russell, explained to the Celt that they have 25 dementia champions working in the hotel and fifty staff trained in relation to dementia/Alzheimer’s awareness.
“We run different workshops here in the hotel every month and we have specific training developed so that all staff can have that awareness,” she assured.