30 Nov Celebrating Excellence in Dementia Care award
Saint Joseph’s Shankill Celebrates Excellence in Dementia Care Award
On Wednesday, 28th November, Saint Joseph’s Shankill welcomed families, staff, volunteers and supporters to celebrate the extraordinary accolade of being recognised as the 2018 Nursing Home Ireland; Excellence in Dementia Care Award.
Elaine Byrne Services Manager at Saint Joseph’s explained; “At Saint Joseph’s we cannot change the devastating effects dementia has on people and their families. But we can and have changed the way we care for people. We want to share our knowledge and also learn more. We have a compassionate and passionate team who ensure everyone that lives here receives the best care possible.”
Speaking at the event, Norma Sheehan, Director of Nursing at Saint Joseph’s said; “Change in any form is difficult, but to change for the better and make a real difference to peoples’ lives is always wonderfully worthwhile, no matter how arduous the journey.” She continued, “because we are now so open to change we are constantly striving to do better, pushing ourselves to reach out and support more people”
The Saint Joseph’s team know and understand the people they care for despite their dementia diagnosis. They allow people the time and space to express themselves and their needs and feelings. Inspired by David Sheard to embrace the teachings of his international company, Dementia Care Matters, Saint Joseph’s now proudly holds a level one Quality of Life, Butterfly Home.
The team also work with the Irish Hospice Foundation, and have a real focus on bettering the end of life care and experience for people and their families at this difficult stage.
Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor, attended the event, and praised the team at Saint Joseph’s commenting that the feeling of love she experiences every time she visits Saint Joseph’s is truly inspirational and very moving. She said that she has been blown away by the care that people receive at Saint Joseph’s and that it should be replicated throughout the country. She also committed to continue working with her colleagues in government to bridge the ‘funding gap’ needed to sustain this care at Saint Joseph’s.
As a part of the event, Deborah Veale and Mari O’Leary were recognised for their outstanding philanthropic contribution to Saint Joseph’s through the ‘Irish Fashion Collective’.
This was followed by all the nominees and finalists of the 2018 NHI Awards being presented to the audience and included; Janice Reyes and Ann Bolger both nominated in the Registered Nurse of the Year category, Jim Leahy, nominee for Ancillary worker of the year award, Sinead Moran, nominated for Health Care Assistant of the year and Catherine Mullen, activities coordinator at Saint Joseph’s nominated for the Social and Recreational Award.
The Saint Joseph’s team were finalists in three categories namely, Norma Sheehan for the Director of Nursing of the Year award and Aldo de Guzman for End of Life Care Award, and they were awarded the Excellence in Dementia Care Award on the awards night in Citywest hotel.
Elaine Byrne commented. “We are so proud of what we have achieved and the care we know everybody enjoys. People are loved and cherished, they feel needed and know they matter to us and we are all a part of one family. We are privileged to work in their home ensuring that they know they truly matter to us. People don’t come here to die, they come here to live. Being recognised our industry peers for the care we give is of course very special to us all. ”
To support Saint Joseph’s and the excellent care they provide or to find out more visit www.saintjosephsshankill.ie or call 01 282 3000.
