Kilmaley centre seeks HSE funds

By Dan Danaher

Exclusive

THE HSE holds the key to unlocking the full potential of a unique €4.73 million elderly care complex in Kilmaley.

A second development of 12 homes for independent living for senior citizens in Kilmaley, costing €2.26 million, will be unveiled during an open day this Sunday. These new houses bring to 24 the total number of housing units being provided adjacent to the existing €670,000 Kilmaley Daycare and Health Centre.

The purpose-built, state-of-the art units include two bedrooms, kitchen/living room, store room, toilet and shower room. The first 12 houses were built at a cost of about €1.8 million.
Developed by Kilmaley Voluntary Housing Association Ltd (KVHA) and funded by the Department of Environment, with a 5% local contribution, KVHA has devised an innovative cost-effective proposal that would transform the existing residential care from independent to assisted living.
It has requested the HSE to provide €250,000 annually, to cover the cost of five new staff members, two sleepover supervisors, two health care assistants and one clinical nurse manager. This would facilitate the extension of the daycare centre from four to seven days, to allow residents use this facility on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The new full-time nurse would manage the assisted-living housing complex in its entirety and provide some weekend cover.
While the HSE is impressed with the new facility and the proposal, it says it does not have funds available at this time.
KVHA estimates that providing a similar level of care would cost €1.2 million in Cahercalla Nursing Home, €1.3 million in St Joseph’s Hospital, Ennis and €1.1 million in Pairc na Coille Nursing Home.
It estimates that it can provide care at a cost of €200 a week per client, some of which is funded by weekly rent of €80. Four of the 12 new houses are already occupied and KVHA works in close co-operation with St Joseph’s Hospital, in terms of using its case conference for new referrals.
According to daycare manager, Mary Ita Griffin, this would provide elderly residents with even greater security, independence, care and peace of mind.
The HSE is already providing €150,000 to help cover the daily running costs of the daycare centre, while KVHA provides €25,000 from its own resources.
The daycare centre provides a wide range of facilities to 96 people from the locality, with the help of a bus that transports attendees from Lissycasey on Monday, Kilnamona on Tuesday, Inagh and The Hand on Wednesday and Kilmaley on Thursday.
In addition to a subsidised hot lunch, residents and centre-users can avail of chiropody, art and crafts, cards, bingo, quizzes, light gardening and other exercises.
In fact, the centre becomes alive to the sound of Irish traditional music, song and dance every afternoon, which is thorougly enjoyed by the elderly, who make their own valuable contribution to the entertainment.
“This purpose-built housing model of accommodation ensures that residents are given the opportunity to live independent lives within a safe, secure and supportive environment,” explained Councillor Tom McNamara, director of Kilmaley Voluntary Housing Association Ltd.
“We are very proud of what has been achieved during this time and are delighted to open this fine development, which combines good quality accommodation supported by the on-site daycare and health services, allowing residents to enjoy greater independence and peace of mind,” he said.
Councillor McNamara believes the new model of elderly care developed in Kilmaley is unique in the county and could be rolled out nationwide, as no other local site has 24 independent living units, a daycare centre and health centre in the one complex.
The not-for-profit voluntary association was established in 2000, following an identified housing need within the county’s largest parish, Kilmaley.
The open day, which runs until 2pm, will be marked by the celebration of Sunday mass at the daycare centre at 11.30am by Kilmaley parish priest, Fr Pat Larkin.
The HSE confirmed it has been asked to consider supporting a change in the housing association model, whereby people living in the houses would be assisted to maintain their independence. This is currently the subject of ongoing discussion between the HSE and KVHA.
“The HSE has no direct role in the provision of housing but would have a role in relation to the provision of care supports, such as the daycare centre.
“The HSE is considering the innovative proposal from KVHA and we have to have further discussions with them to clarify a number of aspects of the proposal,” the HSE stated.
There remains ongoing positive contact and engagement between KVHA and HSE Mid-West area manager, Bernard Gloster, who noted, “Clearly, we are very impressed with their work to date.”