Remembering 1916 in Cavan Museum for Nursing Homes Week

A group of residents enjoyed an Outing to the Cavan County Museum in Ballyjamesduff where they had tremendous fun interacting with the 1916 memorabilia. They were reminded of old ways of working and living. An early 19^th century two roomed cottage complete with a hearth fire, crook and crane brought our olden ways of living back to life for our residents.  A fine replica of the GPO in Dublin stands proudly in the grounds of the Museum helping to bring History to life. Our residents proved you’re never too old to learn as many interesting facts where noted during the trip.

"Brooklyn"

A few of the intrepid Esker Lodge crew hit the cinema for a screening of Brooklyn.
The general consensus was that it was really reflective of the emigrant experience.
Thanks to everyone involved for a lovely afternoon.

Valentines Day 2016

"Love is in the air..." in Esker Lodge!

All the couples had a gorgeous day, as did everyone else, helped along by lots of pink cup cakes!

Happy valentines day to all.

Esker Lodge offered families an opportunity  to enjoy Sunday Lunch with their Mother in Esker Lodge on Mother’s Day, Sunday 6^th March.

Everyone had a wonderful time.

Thanks to the catering team for the beautiful food, as always!

Esker Lodge Care Assistant honoured at National Awards Ceremony

Esker Lodge Nursing Home Press Release

Cavan nursing home representative honoured at National Awards Ceremony

Lynn Keyes of Esker Lodge Nursing Home, Cathedral Road, was one of three national finalists in the Nursing Home Carer of the Year Award Category. Lynn was not the recipient of the Award but was honoured at the national awards ceremony that took place at the Double Tree by Hilton Hotel, Burlington Road, Dublin 4 on Thursday 12^th November.

Lynn was a finalist at the awards ceremony that was attended by a crowd of 500, with RTE presenter Gráinne Séoige event MC.

27 finalists from communities across Ireland went forward for nine award categories that recognised nurses, carers, catering & nutrition, ancillary workers, social & recreational activities, dementia care, and end of life care. The Awards Ceremony also recognised the contribution of residents towards nursing home life and an NHI lifetime achievement award was presented.

Vicky McDwyer, Managing Director of Esker Lodge said  “ I want to take this opportunity to congratulate Lynn for her excellent achievement in reaching the NHI Care Awards 2015. Lynn was short listed as a finalist, one of only three finalists in this category, out of 370 nursing homes around Ireland who participated in these awards. The standard of entry was of exceptional so to reach the final is an amazing achievement. Myself, all the residents and staff of Esker Lodge are immensely proud of Lynn and we are delighted that she was acknowledged for the wonderful work she does every day. “

Now in their sixth year, the Care Awards received submissions from NHI's 370 members who are based in communities across Ireland. Nominations for the Care Awards were invited and submitted by NHI’s 370 Members who are based in communities across Ireland. Nominations were submitted by nursing home residents, visitors to nursing homes, staff, and the general public.

 

Esker Lodge becomes an accredited Sonas Centre of Excellence

A centre of excellence for the Sonás programme in Cavan

Esker Lodge Nursing Home has become an approved Sonás registered Centre of Excellence on completion of a successful assessment recently carried out by Sonás apc.

Esker Lodge is delighted to be awarded this Certificate of Excellence. The nursing home has been using the Sonás programme as part of its schedule of activities and social care in particular for people living with dementia for the past 7 years. Naomi McElwaine, Activities Co-Ordinator in Esker Lodge said “we have been seeing the benefits of the programme for years and have several Sonás licenced practitioners in the home to carry out the sessions every week to the highest possible standard. It is amazing to see how people, in particular those living with dementia, communicate during a group session by recounting past experiences, singing an old time song or rhyming off a proverb”.

Using Sonás residents are involved in many discussions which take place based around an item that has triggered a host of memories long forgotten. It is a unique way of activating communication and it means something new is learned about a person every time you conduct a group.

Naomi went on to say “It’s wonderful to see someone who has been withdrawn emerge smiling & talking after a session. We believe that it is an excellent programme built on the fact that the senses are the gateways to communication both verbally and non-verbally.”

For someone who cannot communicate in conventional ways Sonás offers a critical link and provides an opportunity to engage and interact with that person on a very individual level. Whether on a small or grand scale; everyone in the group is an essential part of that group and experiences a sense of belonging which is why Sonás is a firm part of Esker Lodge’s philosophy of person centred care.

Vicky McDwyer, Managing Director of Esker Lodge said “We are proud to be recognized for our person centredness particularly in the area of dementia specific care. By being certified as a dedicated centre of excellence for delivery of the Sonás programme our commitment to diversional therapies has been independently acknowledged by Sonás apc. I would like to congratulate Naomi and her activities team on a wonderful achievement.” (Autumn 2015)

Esker Lodge Nursing Home is delighted to announce that our activity co-ordinator Naomi McElwaine has been awarded a certificate of achievement with Talking Mats Limited. Talking Mats is an innovative, award-winning communication tool based on extensive research and designed by Speech and Language Therapists. The evidence based framework helps ensure that people with communication impairments are at the centre of planning their own care and are involved in decision making about their health, recreation and goals.

Talking Mats have been a helpful tool to aid thinking by people with communication difficulties, including:

•          Stroke
•          Motor Neurone Disease
•          learning disability
•          people with dementia

Talking Mats Limited is based in the University of Stirling and is an award winning social enterprise whose vision is to improve the lives of people with communication difficulties by increasing their capacity to communicate effectively about things that matter to them.

Naomi complete the course over 4 months with the final exam consisting of a film of the talking mats programme in action in Esker Lodge Nursing Home

Armed with this training Naomi is now using the Talking Mats set of symbols developed from the World Health Organisation within our care setting

Speaking of the certification, Esker Lodge Nursing Home’s Managing Director Vicky McDwyer said “we are delighted for Naomi and really proud of her achievement of this certification. Esker Lodge can now implement Talking Mats in our care setting as an additional aid to people with communication difficulties to ensure that they can express their views and have a voice.”