Two of the Alzheimer Society of Ireland’s day centres in Donegal have announced increased capacity to cater for new clients.
The Glenties and Gweedore centres are appealing to families of loved ones living with dementia to get in contact about availing of the service.
Both centres play a vital role in providing dementia-specific care in the west Donegal region.
The Day Care Centre in Glenties is located at Dr McCloskey Crescent, and currently has six clients, but is now able to cater for up to eight people per day, in the weeks and months ahead. The Glenties centre is open on Thursdays and Fridays with clients generally coming in from 9.30am till 3.30pm. All clients receive a hot meal during their stay in the centre. Plans are in the pipeline for a new sensory garden at the facility, to further enhance the quality of care for clients.
Meanwhile, the Gweedore centre currently caters for six clients, but has the capacity to increase this number to 12. The Gweedore Day Care centre is opened on Mondays and Thursdays under the supervision of Nurse Manager, Mr Kieran Cullen.
With a range of supports and services available, clients can spend their time in a warm, friendly environment and enjoy person centred, dementia specific care from trained professionals.
Mr Cullen said: “We cater for a wide catchment area. The clients come in for up to five hours per day, and are engaged in a range of activities and support. For the families, it is an opportunity for respite which is so important as a carer,” he said.
Ms Kearns said: “For us, it is a privilege to care for the people who come here.”
“The clients enjoy the range of therapies available and love the chat and activities with the staff- we’re like a little family really,” she added.
Patricia McMonagle, Katie Kearns (Nurse Manager) and Gregory Gillespie (Carer)
With over 2,451 people living with dementia in Donegal, it is vital that support and services can be accessed and developed.
The Alzheimer Society of Ireland, also has two specific Dementia Advisers in the county, Dawn Thompson (Donegal North & East) and Mena McGill (Donegal South & West), who are on hand to support not only the person living with dementia but to support their family members and carers. The ASI provides 143 hours of Home Care and 155 hours of Day Care at Home support in Donegal.
The Alzheimer Society also provides the people of Donegal with a National Helpline 1800 341 341 and provides Family Carer Training.
Anyone wishing to contact the GLENTIES centre can do so by calling Katie Kearns on 086-1450663) or by email katie.kearns@alzheimer.ie.
Anyone wishing to contact the GWEEDORE Care Centre can do so by ringing Kieran Cullen on (074 95-32166 or 087-9189247) or by email kieran.cullen@alzheimer.ie
