A €3.5 MILLION investment has been made in elderly care at Cahercalla with a comprehensive refurbishment bringing the well known Clare Nursing Home up to HIQA regulatory standards.
According to those at the facility the investment will greatly enhance the care, stay and safety experience for current and future residents. All of the bedrooms in the three- storey 1960s nursing home have now been renovated and redecorated.
Uniquely based on a community model, Cahercalla Nursing Home which employs 130 people, has been a hugely significant facility and service to people and families throughout county Clare. The new developments bring the 111 bedded Nursing Home in line with the highest care standards deserved by the elderly who have contributed so much to life within the county.
According to Paula O’Halloran, CEO of Cahercalla Hospital and Hospice, the refurbishment has not alone physically transformed the Nursing Home but has created a “home from home” atmosphere among residents, visitors and staff. She also indicated that the value of this initiative is simply enormous and can only benefit the entire community providing families with a realistic option for high quality care of elderly relatives or family members with long-term conditions.
“We are absolutely delighted with the recent modernisation that has taken place. The modifications and décor mirror home-living as closely as we can make it. The latest refurbishment of 48 bedrooms out of a total of 94 over three floors now brings the entire nursing home up to a very high standard. Made up of single and twin bedded rooms, many are ensuite with additional living and dining room accommodation on each floor,” she said.
Cahercalla Community Hospital and Hospice is a qualifying nursing home for the Fair Deal Nursing Home Support Scheme that provides financial support for people who need long-term nursing home care.
In addition to the developments in the nursing home wing, the refurbishment has also included a modern café which is open to the public. It is located in the former O’Gorman House part of the Cahercalla complex with beautiful high ornate ceilings in keeping with the design of the centuries old building. Complete renovation of kitchen faclities has been undertaken fully complying with environmental health standards.
There are three separate divisions under the one roof at Cahercalla, the nursing home, the hospice and the day surgery facilities. The nursing home constitutes the largest section with the day surgery continuing to provide surgical procedures that have been available since 1995. The hospice, which is partially supported by the HSE and much appreciated local fundraising campaigns, facilitates from 5-10 hospice patients. In addition to patient facilities and care it also offers very comfortable living, kitchen and shower facilities for family members who wish to stay and be close by to support their loved one.
Paul Madden, a member of the board of directors, said that the board is eager to create a greater awareness of the importance and accessibility of the facility and the high level care and dignity afforded to long and short-term residents and day patients.
“It is so vital that people know what is possible on our own doorstep in terms of elderly and patient care and the vision of the board, shaped many years ago by our chairman, Fr Harry Bohan, continues to fulfill its commitment to local community needs to the best of its ability,” he said.
A native of Ennis, Colin McGann has been editor of The Clare Champion since August 2020. Former editor of The Clare People, he is a journalism and communications graduate of Dublin Institute of Technology.