Nursing Homes: Special Care Creating Happiness

Nursing Homes: Special care creating happiness ‘A wonderful life with people I call family’ Choosing a Nursing Home Providing nursing care to amazing people

16 16page pageguide guideto tothe theprivate private&&voluntary voluntarynursing nursinghome homesector sector

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Celebrating Excellence in Care

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‘A WONDERFUL LIFE WITH PEOPLE I CALL FAMILY’ Nursing home care is supporting people to ‘live life to the full’ and enjoy happy, fulfilling lives. People with direct experiences of nursing home care write of its positivity and how it has changed their lives.

PREPARING TO AVAIL OF EXCELLENT HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE THAT WILL ENHANCE YOUR LIFE A new phase of life begins with a move to nursing home care but what should you consider before you make the life-changing move?

BRINGING CARE, COMFORT, FULFILMENT AND HAPPINESS TO OLDER PEOPLE Nursing homes are ‘homes from home’ where life is focussed around enabling the people living within them live fulfilling and happy lives.

NEWS Nursing home care is critical to healthcare delivery, as illustrated by high numbers delayed discharge in acute hospitals, and nursing home life is to be profiled on TV3.

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Minister for Health Leo Varadkar addressed those attending the Nursing Homes Ireland Care Awards 2014.

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he success achieved in recent decades in improving health and extending life expectancy should be acknowledged and celebrated. People are living and remaining healthier for longer. All of our efforts should contribute to support the person in the journey of care and the Nursing Home Sector is a key component on this pathway.

As you point out tonight the Nursing Home Sector is celebrating the many and varied aspects of nursing home life. I see this occasion as recognising your significant contribution to ensuring the delivery of high quality services to those who depend on your care.

To each of the nominees I offer my congratulations and good wishes. Well done to the worthy winners who will be announced later this evening. Your efforts have been recognised by staff, residents, relatives and the wider community. These awards are an

achievement that you can be justifiably proud of.

I hope you have an enjoyable and relaxing evening among family, friends and colleagues.

LeoMinister Varadkar TD for Health

BUDGET CAPPING MUST BE ADDRESSED TO TACKLE FAIR DEAL WAITING LIST At the NHI Annual Conference 2014 Minister for Health Leo Varadkar stated the Fair Deal budget cap must be tackled to reduce extraordinary waiting list for people requiring support for nursing home care. Also, a leading researcher of long-term care in Europe stated Ireland has a “window of opportunity” to plan now for its rapidly ageing society.

CHRIS EXTRAORDINARY RECOVERY INSPIRED BY NURSING HOME CARE The remarkable story of a 45-year-old nursing home resident’s courage, inspiration, perseverance and extraordinary life-changing achievement, which has led to him being honoured as NHI Resident Achievement Award Winner 2014.

PRIVILIGED SKILFUL ROLES BRING IMMENSE SATISFACTION & ONGOING ENGAGEMENT WITH ‘AMAZING’ PEOPLE Within dedicated health and social care settings in communities across Ireland, Geronotological nurses are applying multidisciplinary clinical skills to make a critical contribution to support the health and wellbeing of older people.

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‘Recognising significant contribution to high quality care’

NURSING HOMES INTRINSIC TO HEALTHCARE DELIVERY AND WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY MUST BE ACCEPTED Utilising the expertise within the highly regulated nursing home sector and harnessing its resources will offer substantial scope to meet our population’s health and social care requirements at community level and deliver huge benefits to local and national economy.

NHI CARE AWARDS 2014 The Winners & Finalists of the prestigious annual celebration of the excellent care provided by NHI Members in communities across Ireland.

NHI CARE AWARDS 2014 SPONSORS

CREDITS A BECREATIVE EDITORIAL PRODUCTION www.becreative.ie

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Nursing Homes: Enhancing Lives Through Excellent Care

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n a daily basis, outstanding, dedicated care is being provided within NHI Member Homes across the country. The excellence in care delivery is enhancing the lives of older persons and bringing happiness to them. This supplement commemorates the NHI Care Awards, an annual celebration that recognises and honours outstanding care being provided across the country. The winners and finalists are featured and I congratulate all.

Within urban and rural communities, 360+ NHI member homes provide dedicated care within ‘home from home’ health and social care settings that are meeting complex health requirements of persons requiring long-term care. Our sector is employing over 23,000 persons to provide outstanding care to more than 22,000.

Our sector and the people working within it are, quite rightly, immensely proud of the excellent support and care they provide to nursing home residents. They enable residents’ live happy and fulfilling lives through excellent health and social care.

Walk into a nursing home and you will see joy, humour, people maximising their creativity and talent, friendship, comfort and outstanding support. Enjoy reading further of nursing home life within this dedicated supplement.

This publication can prove an extremely helpful resource for people requiring or considering nursing home care. It advises of what nursing home life entails, what you should consider when choosing a nursing home, and the supports available to support

people requiring nursing home care.

Read of the critical contribution nursing home care makes towards employment provision in communities across Ireland and critical role it fulfils in meeting our wider population’s healthcare requirements.

Enabling timely access to nursing home care is intrinsic to ensuring we have a proper functioning health service and this is evident from high numbers delayed discharged in hospitals because of inability to access Fair Deal support.

Our sector is facing significant challenges to meet requirement for nursing home care.

One such challenge is the numbers growing older will lead to increasing requirement for nursing home care and the speciality that is Gerontological Nursing. Our sector is presenting rewarding and fulfilling opportunities for graduate, experienced and return to practice nurses. Read of the speciality that is Gerontological nursing within these pages.

This supplement will provide you, the reader, with an insight into the speciality that is nursing home care and provide important information and advice for anyone requiring or considering such care. For anyone with a wider interest in the health sector it informs of the key challenges facing a rapidly ageing population. Plenty of interesting reading!

Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO

Celebrating Excellence in Care

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‘A wonderful life with people I call family’ Nursing home care is supporting people to ‘live life to the full’ and enjoy happy, fulfilling lives. Four persons with direct experiences of such care speak of its positivity and how it has changed their lives for the better.

Enjoying the sunshine at Cairnhill Nursing Home are, from left, Karl Mangan, Resident; Arlene McMahon, General Manager; Tom Hanson, Residents Husband; Marie Hanson, Resident; Betty O’Donoghue, Resident, and Mary Dunphy, Retired Matron.

“My wife Marie is a resident in Cairnhill Nursing Home. The nursing home is a Georgian House immaculately kept and full of character, with a modern well integrated extension. The conservatory looks out on a beautiful garden with path walks, seats and gazebo.

A big effort is made to make everyone feel at home and both residents and staff can express their own individual personalities. It’s neither a hotel or hospital; it is a home. The atmosphere is always cheerful and happy. Under the empathetic and innovative leadership of the Director of Nursing Anna, and Rita, the owner, all the staff are most courteous, patient, attentive and diligent.

There is a strong team ethos. Lisa, activity co-ordinator, organises lots of differing and interesting recreational activities. Monday’s art class is always a great success and the fun activities include cards, cooking lessons, flower seed propagation and bingo.

After much initial apprehension and not knowing what to expect, I must say that the last four and a half years have been a most positive experience.”

Tom Hanson, speaks of the care provided to his wife Marie at Cairnhill Nursing Home, Foxrock, Co Dublin.

“Ashford House Nursing Home has been my home for the past 15 years. I like to live as independently as possible and can do this with the care and support I receive from the wonderful staff. I live life to the full. I go out to the local shops and post office at least once a week and I enjoy going on the wide range of outings and trips.

In 2012 and 2013 I was delighted to be able to go on the Dublin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes. I am involved in lots of activities in Ashford House and I particularly enjoy the computer classes.

Last year I was interviewed by TV3 about receiving my Resident Achievement certificate from Nursing Homes Ireland!

I always try to welcome new residents and help them to settle in by chatting with them and introducing them to the other residents.”

Kathryn McGilligan, Ashford House Nursing Home, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

“I have been here for over 18 months and am much happier in my life since I came to live here. At first I was a little nervous about starting another life, but that soon changed once I got to know the staff. I have a wonderful social life. I used to love travelling and have been able to continue this as part of my life in Sunhill. In May of this year “The Matron” organised for me to travel to London with the Activities’ Co-ordinator, as it was one city that I had not visited. It was my wish to go there.

I have made some fantastic friends since moving to Sunhill. I recently celebrated my 90th Birthday with a party among the residents and staff who I regard as my family. I have one sister still alive who is 101 and lives in Copenhagen. I am able to contact her whenever I wish. Sunhill has changed my life and allowed me to experience new things and visit new places while still maintaining my independence.”

Vera Molloy, Sunhill Nursing Home, Termonfeckin, Co Louth.

Sunhill has changed my life and allowed me to experience new things and visit new places while still maintaining my independence

“I’m a relatively young nursing home resident – born in 1968 – and became very ill in 2012. After a six month period I moved to Mooncoin Residential Care Centre as I could not manage without fulltime nursing care. I got my bearings and adapted well to the home.

Mooncoin has a six-day activity programme in place for all the residents. I can pick and choose from plenty of activities - both individual and group - that I would like to attend.

I fill some of my days by going to Mass in the local church, attending the local Women’s Club and talking to the friends I have made here. I partake in exercise, reading, brain teasers, do the monthly newsletter and help out in the home. I also take part in the prayer services and read at the Masses in the home. On days out, I go out to Waterford and Carrick-On-Suir and also home to see my family. My health has improved greatly since coming here and I feel I have a good sense of well-being both physically and mentally. I would highly recommend the life and care you get in a nursing home.”

Rita O’Shea, Mooncoin Residential Care Centre, Mooncoin, Co. Kilkenny.

“It was a cold, snowy day in December 2010 that we remember vividly. Not just the bitterness of the cold, but the heavy hearts we carried that day.

There comes a time when love, care and attention are no longer enough.

Despite their assurances that they would look after her with the same love, care and attention that Margaret had rightly deserved throughout her life, there were pangs of regret and even worry. Could the staff of St Gobnait’s live up to their words of reassurance and understanding? For all that I wanted to believe it, I had my doubts.

Four years later I still think back to that day. I thank God that he guided Margaret to St Gobnait’s.

It may sound dramatic, but there are not enough words in the dictionary to describe the care that Margaret gets every single day in her new home.

Margaret is at home now. She may be missing much of her mental faculties, but she is not missing out on a single element of human dignity and decency. No occasion goes unnoticed, and all the festive occasions throughout the year are celebrated with gusto.

That cold snowy day in December 2010 remains etched in my mind.

However it is no longer a day I remember with angst or recrimination.

That cold snowy day is the day that Margaret received

the gift of life one more time. With the help of St Gobnait’s it is a life that is still honoured and considered precious” Nora Jacob-O’Flynn speaks of the care provided to her sister Margaret at St Gobnait’s Nursing Home, Ballyagran, Co Limerick.

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Celebrating Excellence in Care

Preparing to avail of excellent health & social care that will enhance your life A new phase of your life begins with a move to a nursing home.

With you having the right to choose where to live, you should consider carefully what it is you want from your new home

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our move to the nursing home will ensure you are provided with the specialist care and support suited to your day-to-day living requirements. Meeting your care requirements will be a dedicated, committed and caring team. They will implement a care plan designed around your health and general needs. Excellent levels of care are provided in nursing homes but it is important to give careful consideration to what home will best suit your day-today living and healthcare requirements.

You have the right to choose where you wish to live. Resident choice is enshrined in the legislation governing the Nursing Home Support Scheme, commonly known as Fair Deal, and you choose the nursing home best suited to your or your relatives needs whether public, private or voluntary.

Fair Deal is the State support mechanism that has been designed to make nursing home care affordable.

Once an applicant is approved under the scheme, it’s their choice as to what home they choose and where they want to live.

Nursing Homes are community environments that create a ‘home from home’ for the residents living within them.

Residents meet new friends and share life stories and interests within a homely setting, while expert staff provide dedicated care and form friendships with those in their care.

Ideal Attributes

Choosing a nursing home is one decision that no-one wants to get wrong. Before even beginning to examine the range of nursing homes available to you, make a list of the ideal attributes you want from the nursing home. If you are assisting someone about to move into a nursing home, involve them in making the decision as much as possible. If they are not in a position to communicate well, it is extremely important to bear their values and preferences in mind in making this important life decision.

The attributes that are worth considering include the atmosphere and religious outlook, the food and recreational activities and any special needs and preferences you or your relative might have.

Research

Next comes the research phase. The first step of this phase should be quite straightforward - find out about the nursing homes in your area. There is a directory of Nursing Homes Ireland members available on www.nhi.ie From this directory some more detailed research on the quality of care provided and comparisons with your ‘ideal attributes’ should assist you to create your shortlist.

OUTINGS: Residents of Cloverlodge Nursing Home, Athy, Co Kildare on a visit to Dublin Zoo At this stage a visit to the nursing home would be recommended. There is no substitute for the information you can gain from actually visiting the home.

As nursing homes are busy places and primarily focussed on the care of their residents it is advisable to make an appointment with the nursing home initially.

When visiting the nursing home, you should: • Take a formal tour with the Director of Nursing or designated deputy.

• Ask questions during your tour. This is your choice and you should be prepared with all of the answers you need to make it.

• Look around to get a better picture of the services, activities, and quality of care and life for the residents.

Questions to consider

While you are carrying out your research and when you are visiting the home there are some issues worth considering for the wellbeing of yourself or your relative: • Is the nursing home close to family and friends so they can visit often?

• Is the nursing home close to shops, clubs, church or other events/ places you may wish to continue using?

• Are you able to bring in personal possessions/ furniture from home? Does the nursing home have a regular schedule of activities for you to participate in?

• How are residents and families encouraged to participate in developing their care plan?

Fair Deal - The Nursing Home Support Scheme The Nursing Homes Support Scheme, commonly known as Fair Deal, is a scheme of financial support for people who need long-term nursing home care. Under Fair Deal, you will make a contribution towards the cost of your care and the State will pay the balance.

This applies whether the nursing home is public, private or voluntary.

Step 1 is an application for a Care Needs Assessment. The Care Needs Assessment identifies whether or not you need long-term nursing home care.

Step 2 is an application for State Support. This will be used to complete the Financial Assessment which determines your contribution to your care and your corresponding level of financial assistance (“State Support”). Steps 1 and 2 must be completed by all applicants (if you were resident in a nursing home before the scheme started please see section 10 of the information booklet).

Step 3 is an optional step which should be completed if you wish to apply for the Nursing Home Loan (this is termed “Ancillary State Support” in the legislation).

Your Contribution to Care

The scheme is administered by the HSE. Having looked at your income and assets, the Financial Assessment will work out your contribution to care. You will contribute 80% of your assessable income and 7.5% of the value of any assets per annum. However, the first €36,000 of your assets, or €72,000 for a couple, will not be counted at all in the financial assessment. Where your assets include land and property in the State, the 7.5% contribution based on such assets may be deferred and collected from your estate. This is an optional Nursing Home Loan element of the scheme which is legally referred to as “Ancillary State Support”.

To learn more about the Nursing Home Support Scheme (Fair Deal) and your eligibility contact: ■ HSE on the HSE infoline on 1850 24 1850, or refer to their website for your local NHSS office (a listing is provided on the HSE website).

■ The Department of Health has a section on their website dedicated to the Fair Deal, in particular the FAQ section details the most commonly asked questions and it is a very useful resource. You can visit it at www.dohc.ie/issues.fair_deal

Celebrating Excellence in Care

Nursing Homes Ireland resources The Nursing Homes Ireland website is an excellent resource for persons considering nursing home care. NHI Members are committed to the highest standards of care. Visit the publications section of the NHI website www.nhi.ie to download: ■ NHI’s Nursing Home Care it’s your choice…Advice on choosing a Nursing Home & Understanding the Fair Deal, ■ Quality Living, Quality Care – Living in a Nursing Home Nursing Home Care it’s your choice advice on choosing a Nursing Home & Understanding Fair Deal provides an easy-to-read understanding of the principle means of support for persons requiring nursing home care. It details how the scheme works and: ■ Applying for the Scheme ■ The Care Needs Assessment ■ The types of financial support available under the scheme ■ Your rights in choosing a nursing home

Quality Living, Quality Care – Living in a Nursing Home details the health and social care provided in nursing homes and concerns of persons. It features advice on: ■ Choosing a nursing home, ■ Facilities, ■ Activities, ■ Food and nutrition, ■ Complaints procedures, ■ The Nursing Home Support Scheme (Fair Deal).

Visit www.nhi.ie to download copies of the publications or contact NHI Head Office at 01 4292570 if you wish to order a copy of either.

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Nursing Homes Ireland: A hallmark of excellent care Nursing Homes Ireland (NHI) is the national representative body for the private and voluntary nursing home sector and has over 360 members in communities across Ireland. NHI members are committed to: ■ Maintaining and enhancing the quality of life of residents ■ Preserving the autonomy of residents, guaranteeing free expression of opinion and freedom of choice ■ Maintaining a safe physical and emotional environment ■ Ensuring that the privacy and

dignity of residents is respected ■ Being an employer of choice and providing continuous professional development and training The Nursing Homes Ireland website can assist you in choosing a nursing home and is an excellent resource with very helpful information. The site will provide you with a full listing of NHI members in your locality. You can visit it at www.nhi.ie. You can also contact NHI with queries about choosing a nursing home and it can be contacted at (01) 4292570.

Tax relief on nursing home fees If you require nursing home care and do not qualify, or do not wish to apply, for financial support under the Nursing Home Support Scheme (Fair Deal) you can claim tax relief for nursing home expenditure under the general scheme for tax relief on certain medical expenses. You can claim tax relief (Med 1 form) on nursing expenditure at your highest rate of tax (either 20% or 41%). If you are paying nursing home fees, you can get the tax relief whether you are in the nursing home

CREATIVITY: Seamus Kearney enjoying painting activity at Harvey Nursing Home, Dún Laoghaire, Dublin

Monitoring the needs of those living in Nursing Homes

yourself or you are paying for another person receiving nursing home care.

Before 2007 this person had to have been a relative or dependent. A longterm resident in a nursing home who pays tax under PAYE can apply to have the expenses allowed in his or her tax credit certificate. For additional information see Revenues information leaflet IT 6 Medical Expenses Relief. The nursing home must be on the Revenue list of approved hospitals and nursing homes, viewable on www.revenue.ie.

ADVERTORIAL

Moving an ageing parent or loved one into a nursing home is never going to be an easy decision for anyone. However, for the sake of the loved one’s general wellbeing, it is a decision which often has to be made. The introduction of telecare solutions in nursing homes provides extra reassurance for residents that staff will be alerted immediately, should they require assistance. The range of sensors gives elderly residents and their families the peace of mind that their needs are being monitored at all times

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ssistive technology is useful in many areas of the professional caring sector. For those in residential homes, the ability to remotely monitor residents can make running a home safer and significantly more efficient.

In conjunction with Tunstall Emergency Response, many care homes in Ireland, have developed a technology platform in their premises with telecare sensors fitted according to the individual needs of each resident. Quick and timely alerts to incontinence, residents out of bed or outdoors gives tremendous improvements their health and safety and removes the need for too many intrusive “just in case” checks. Residents can have all the freedom and independence they expect, with personalised support when they need it.

For residents suffering from poor mobility, wandering or a frequency of falls, a bed occupancy sensor alerts staff and allows them to check the safety of the resident without limiting the behaviour as long as it is safe.

This supports individuals’ behaviour and does not impose strict timeframes, giving them the right to do what they want, when they want once they are not putting themselves at risk.

Without telecare sensors where an incontinence episode occurs there can be extended contact with urine until the next bed check but with an enuresis sensor the instance of wetness is responded to quickly without the resident having to wait. The use of the sensor alleviates the need for intrusive wellbeing checks, meaning the dignity and privacy of residents is protected.

Door exit sensors can be fitted on any door and will alert when the resident opens the door after an agreed time. Staff can respond to check the resident is ok and reduce the risk of disturbing others.

With an ever-growing ageing population, dementia is fast becoming the chronic disease of the 21st century. A common difficulty when looking after people with dementia is verifying their location. One solution offered

by Tunstall Emergency Response is the Vega GPS watch, which combines a satellite global positioning system and a mobile phone in a wrist-worn device. When the patient wears the watch, they can be easily located should they leave the pre-defined safe zone.

Tunstall’s Care Assist pager is designed to support on-site care staff in smaller settings. The pager is portable and can

be worn or carried in and around the building. Care staff are immediately alerted to a trigger from any sensor. These devices can monitor large numbers of sensors and are being used successfully in residences where each sensor can be designated to individual clients or rooms.

For many years, Tunstall has designed and manufactured nursecall communications equipment for care homes, hospitals and rehabilitation centres. Tunstall Nursecall is a cost effective, nursecall communications system which enables telecare sensors to be used in larger settings. The use of telecare sensors, combined with communications technology and tailored support, helps to manage risks and ensure staff are quickly alerted to potential problems.

Tina Molloy, Sales and Marketing Manager at Tunstall Emergency Response, says “By integrating personalised support packages with technology, services can be

transformed to ensure people maintain independence and autonomy as their needs change. Care workers trust telecare and find it a great support to them in their roles, allowing them to spend more quality time with residents by accommodating their individual needs effectively.”

To learn more about Tunstall Emergency Response, or any of the equipment mentioned, please visit the website www. tunstallemergencyresponse. ie or telephone the Telecare Support team on 1850 247999.

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Celebrating Excellence in Care

Bringing care, comfort, fulfilment and happiness to older people Nursing homes are ‘homes from home’ where life is focused around enabling the people living within them live fulfilling and happy lives

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ursing home life is centred around the resident. Moving to a nursing home enables a person requiring continuous care to avail of it within a ‘home from home’ setting. Within the home, a dedicated, committed, caring team excels in meeting health and social care requirements.

A person’s move to a nursing home signals the beginning of a new stage of their life.

The dedicated, specialist care provided in nursing homes is centred around enabling people live happy and fulfilling lives.

Understandably, the move to a nursing home carries with it anxiety, apprehension and uncertainty. Such emotions are understandable and natural. This is a move to a new living environment and a transition to a new way of life. It is important to realise the move opens up a new way of living suited to a person’s day-to-day living requirements and will open up a new world of opportunity. The decision to move to a nursing home is a hugely positive one.

Moving in

A new community of friendship, support, care, activity and quality living awaits!

The dedicated, specialist care provided in nursing homes is centred around enabling people live happy and fulfilling lives

CELEBRATION: A Mad Hatters Garden Tea party in the Summer sun at Holy Family Residence, Clonskeagh, Dublin.

You will: • Meet new friends with shared life stories and interests • Receive round-the-clock expert nursing care and support from dedicated staff • Be afforded opportunities to take part in a range of social and recreational activities that will enhance your quality of life • Receive the encouragement and support to enable you to learn new skills • Take pleasure in continuing to enjoy your favorite pastimes • Be supported to live independently

Independence

Nursing home care is designed to let you live independently and fulfill your potential.

Before you move into the nursing home, staff will meet you to talk about your health and general needs. This meeting will focus

on your abilities and your preferences. The staff will advise you if you need any aids or adaptations and assist you in obtaining such supports to assist you to remain independent.

in private. In addition, nursing homes can arrange other ways of keeping in touch such as telephone, email and Skype.

Care planning

The nursing home will facilitate your wishes for holidays or overnight stays outside of the home, wherever possible, and will help you to prepare for these.

Nursing home staff will prepare your ‘care plan’. This will include important life considerations such as the foods you like or don’t like and what time you want to get up or go to bed. Staff will review your care plan with you regularly or more often if you want or if your needs change. It’s important to know that, in the nursing home, you have the right to choose what you want or don’t want.

Visitors

Visitors are very welcome to nursing homes.

All have comfortable visitor rooms where you can meet with family and friends, often

Holiday & overnight stays

Treasured possessions

Nursing homes allow you bring treasured possessions such as photos, paintings, ornaments and, in some cases, furniture to the home. Nursing home staff want you to have your personal belongings around you because they understand how precious these are to you.

Activities

Activities are focused around the residents’

Celebrating Celebrating Excellence Excellence in in Care Care interests and designed to bring enjoyment and enhance quality of life. Activities can include gardening, baking, arts & crafts, music, film, shopping, exercise, celebrations, outings, reminiscence sessions.

As far as possible, staff will make sure that you continue to enjoy the pastimes you love.

Nursing homes also give you the chance to try new leisure activities and learn new skills.

Food

Nursing homes employ chefs and catering teams to prepare meals to the highest standards. They change menus regularly to give greater variety – guided by residents’ likes and preferences.

Resident councils

Most nursing homes have residents’ and relatives’ councils that afford those living within the home a say in its running.

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Many also have volunteer advocates who speak on behalf of residents who cannot speak for themselves. The councils meet to talk about issues that affect residents’ daily lives in the nursing home. Their suggestions and comments are given to management to improve services.

Complaints

Managers and staff need to know what you are happy with and also not happy with so that they can improve the care you receive. Each nursing home also has a formal policy on complaints management and under the regulations governing nursing homes, you have the right to make a complaint and to have it dealt with.

If you are concerned about your care or the care of a family member, you can contact the Health Information and Quality Authority or HIQA for short.

GAMES: Mary Sheehan, left, and Lena O Riordan participate in a game of skittles at St Gobnait’s, Co Limerick INTERACTIVITY: Playing Sevens at Harvey Nursing Home, Dublin, are Thomas Burke, Sheila Magee, Mary B Fletcher and Oona Ryan

Your guide to nursing home life Quality Living, Quality Care – Living in a Nursing Home is an NHI booklet that is an excellent resource for people considering nursing home care. It deals directly with concerns of persons moving to nursing homes and details the health and social care provided within these dedicated healthcare settings.

It ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

features advice on: Choosing a nursing home, Facilities, Activities, Food and nutrition, Complaints procedures, ■ The Nursing Home Support Scheme (Fair Deal), ■ Tax relief on nursing home fees.

Homes Ireland CEO explains. “This booklet is designed to provide very valuable and important information in respect of nursing home life and provide comfort and reassurance for persons moving to a nursing home and their family and friends.”

You can download a copy via the Nursing Homes Ireland website www.nhi.ie or you can contact NHI head office at (01) 4292570 to request a copy of the booklet.

“NHI recognises the move to a nursing home brings with it uncertainty, anxiety and apprehension,” Tadhg Daly, Nursing CREATURE COMFORTS: Jack O’ Brien of St Martha’s, Co Tipperary, on a visit to local farm with Margaret Childs, Health Care Assistant

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Celebrating Excellence in Care

Nursing Nursing home homes series care key to TV3 will air a series in December will focus on nursing addressing hospital that home life. Home from Home is documentary that overcrowding: NHI awilltwo-part bring viewers inside the Accessing nursing home care in a timely manner is central to addressing the serious issues of overcrowding within our hospitals, Nursing Homes Ireland has stated.

The INMO reported a 34% increase in the numbers on hospital trolleys and wards for the month of October by comparison with equivalent month in 2013. The HSE Performance Report for August 2014 – the most recently published at time of writing – reported a 15% increase in the number of persons delayed discharged in Irish hospitals.

Of 704 people the HSE reported awaiting discharge, 74% were awaiting long-term nursing care. As of 28th October, there were 2,135 people Fair Deal approved but awaiting payment, with the average waiting period being approx four months - 15 weeks.

Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO stated: “Last December when the Fair Deal budget was cut by €35m NHI described it as illogical and we warned of serious repercussions for the wider health service. Sadly our warnings have manifested.”

“Nursing homes play a vital role within a proper functioning health service and the specialist care they provide is appropriate to an older persons’ health and social care requirements within community settings. A week’s nursing home care is equivalent or even cheaper than a week of care in an acute hospital. It defies logic and economics to extend and prolong persons stay within acute hospitals.”

doors of two nursing homes. It will provide an insight into the fantastic characters who live in nursing homes, meet with the caring staff, and depict activities and celebrations within such settings. The first programme will broadcast Wednesday 3rd December at 9pm.

Challenges outlined in report Nursing Homes Ireland’s call for the establishment of a Government-led forum to bring together key stakeholders to plan for our ageing population’s increasing requirement for nursing home care was reiterated at the recent launch of an AIB report that highlighted Ireland is now catching up with its European neighbours in terms of its ageing demographic.

Tánaiste Joan Burton launched the AIB Outlook report assessing the long-term care sector. It was published in association with NHI and launched on the 22nd October.

At the launch, AIB announced details of a new €300m fund to support investment across healthcare services and specifically to

support funding to nursing home operators.

Ken Burke, AIB Head of Business Banking stated with CSO forecasting a 38% increase in the number of people aged 85+ by 2021 “the need for all stakeholders in the longterm care sector to work together to address this issue is critical”. He added: “The future is positive for the long term care sector in Ireland, with the growing demand for places in nursing homes. We are launching the €300m healthcare fund to support investment across healthcare services and

specifically to support funding to nursing home operators who are critical to the provision of care to our ageing population.”

The Long Term Care report found the nursing home sector has significant job creation potential with an average of 1.2 staff employed per resident. Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO stated: “We must plan for the full range of healthcare services that are required to ensure our older persons can access appropriate healthcare within their local community in a timely manner.”

Budget capping must be addressed to tackle Fair Deal waiting list: Minister Minister for Health Leo Varadakar informed nursing home delegates at the NHI Annual Conference the Fair Deal Budget cap must be tackled if the extraordinary waiting lists to access nursing home care are to be addressed

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he budget cap on the Fair Deal scheme will have to be increased if the waiting list to access nursing home care is to be addressed, Minister for Health Leo Varadkar informed over 400 delegates attending the Nursing Homes Ireland Annual Conference 2014.

Minister Varadkar was speaking against a backdrop of approximately 2,000 people on the Fair Deal listing awaiting payment approval and a national average waiting period of 15 weeks. He addressed representatives from the nursing home sector at the conference that took place on 6th November in Citywest Hotel.

“If we are going to keep the waiting list down we will need to increase the budget cap on the Fair Deal,” Minister Varadkar said. “While I know that many nursing homes feel they are underpaid for what they do and perhaps they are, my first priority if I do manage to get that budget cap lifted is make sure that we get that waiting list down and that we get maximum value for money for doing so.”

Minister Varadkar anticipated the €25million allocated in Budget 2015 to tackle delayed discharge persons in Irish hospitals will help bring down “significantly” the numbers on the Fair Deal waiting list and stated it is his intention and that of Minister for Older People Kathleen Lynch

to use the allocation “sooner rather than later”. He said some of the spend will go towards the Fair Deal and it will also be spent on other support services including home help, home care packages, community beds and community interventions.

Minister Varadkar added: “I’m certainly not satisfied that people are currently waiting 15 weeks to access support for the scheme but as is the case with so many problems, it is a financial problem. The budget for the nursing home support scheme in 2014 is €939m and that represents an enormous commitment on behalf of taxpayers to supporting older people. However even with strong commitment from me and the Government, it’s a real challenge for the budget to keep pace with rising demand from older people and we still have very significant financial pressures in other parts of the health service too.”

He praised the excellent standards of care being provided by the private and voluntary nursing home sector. “As you know there are currently about 27,000 people in residential care and the majority of them are in private and voluntary nursing homes. I think you can be very proud of the standards of your facilities, of the excellent service that you give to residents and their families, which allows older people to end their days in dignity and comfort.”

Referring to the review of the Nursing

‘Catastrophic’ consequence if we fail to proactively plan for long-term care: European expert A leading researcher of long-term care in Europe has stated Ireland is at a juncture that presents a window of opportunity to proactively plan now for its rapidly ageing society and it can learn from the experiences of European neighbours. Kai Leichsenring, Associate Senior Researcher at the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy & Research, who is based in Vienna, was a keynote speaker at the VHI Annual Conference.

“Demographically speaking, Ireland is currently in a position which I would still call a ‘window of opportunity’ to pro-actively plan for a now rapidly ageing society,” Mr Leichsenring stated.

“Many European countries tried to use their ‘window of opportunity’ - but many did not - during the 1990s, and Ireland could learn a lot from success and also from failure in this regard.

“Needing long-term care is likely to become a catastrophic event for an individual and his or her family if the appropriate planning is not implemented

now. This entails not only the general foundation of financing long-term care, but also the way in which services and facilities are funded and regulated.

Without investing in the necessary infrastructure, equal access will be hampered and this will have enormous repercussions for employment, productivity and the general ‘social climate’.

“The long tradition of health care systems that are able to cure ever more diseases and to further extend our life expectancy must be seen as a major success of our societies. This success comes however with social, economic and individual costs represented by a growing number of older people with chronic diseases and a need for longterm care, and with rising public and private expenditures for health care. We need to develop integrated long-term care systems at the interface between health and social care, and between formal and informal care to deal with the challenges of an ageing society, caregivers’ burden and high care costs.”

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Minister Varadkar: It’s a real challenge for Fair Deal budget to keep pace with rising demand Home Support Scheme (Fair Deal), Minister Varadkar said work is “well advanced” and its findings “will be completed and published in early 2015, following consideration by Minister Lynch”. He also said the development of a national alzheimers strategy – a commitment in the Programme for Government – is at an advanced stage and will be brought to cabinet “shortly,” prior to publication.

Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO, welcomed the Minister’s commitment to engage with NHI to address challenges, stating, “we do have a clear commitment towards working with you and your colleagues in Government to address the ageing of the population to ensure there is a continuum of care for older people”.

Speaking of the Fair Deal scheme, he said it is critical it is adequately resourced into the future to give confidence to older people who require nursing home care and this must emanate from the review.

Mr Daly also addressed the issue of nursing home fees. “If its value for money you’re looking for Minister, you’ve come to the right place,” he stated. “The private and voluntary [nursing home] sector is now providing care to older people in nursing home care to up to 50% less than its costing the State in its own facilities; so value for money, that’s what our Members provide, with high quality, independently regulated care. We would encourage you to address that issue into the future.”

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Celebrating Excellence in Care

Chris extraordinary recovery inspired by nursing home care The story of 45-year old Chris Norris is one of remarkable courage, inspiration, perseverance and extraordinary life-changing achievement.

The most recent chapter is one of a man on an intensive journey of rehabilitation. This has been undertaken with the support of staff at Knightsbridge Nursing Home in Co Meath and his parents Chris senior and Ann.

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hris story begins as one of tragedy, trauma, sorrow, pain and the most challenging suffering and adversity. On 23rd January 2011 Chris suffered a terrible accident when he fell down the stairs of his home. The repercussions of his fall were extensive brain injuries and Chris was rushed to Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown, and subsequently transferred to Beaumont Hospital where the neurological team performed life-saving surgery. Chris was induced into a coma for 12 days and the emergency care to save his life was led by Consultant Neurosurgeon Dr David Allcutt. Chris transferred back to Connolly Hospital but his life lay in the balance for a number of months and the situation was grave on a number of occasions.

The outstanding care at Connolly and Beaumont Hospitals saved the life of Chris and stabilized his condition. He spent a period of 20 weeks at the National Rehabilitation Hospital before a new chapter in his story began in June 2012, when Chris moved to Knightsbridge Village in Trim, Co Meath.

Chris was incapable of movement or speech and in a state of severe paralysis.

The belief was he would never walk again and his speech would not return.

Knightsbridge’s Young Physically Disabled Unit became the hub of Chris’ life.

Gillian McDonald, Person in Charge at

Knightsbridge, takes up the story. “Chris arrived at Knightsbridge unable to walk and with severe cognitive dysfunction.

It’s really difficult to comprehend how he coped with such trauma but the Chris who arrived showed tremendous energy, drive, determination and resolve. His 100% dedication could be seen by everyone of us here in Knightsbridge from day one.”

“Our Young Physically Disabled unit became the hub of his life. This was the setting for him to fight against the odds.

Supporting him along this arduous journey were his family, staff in the unit and beyond within the nursing home, and Fit for Life and the Meath Sensory and Disability Team.

An intensive care plan was developed by our multidisciplinary team and his parents Ann and Chris Senior were here to support him seven days a week. Physical and mental exercises were undertaken on a daily basis.

The intensive care plan developed by the multidisciplinary team focussed on developing Chris’s muscular movement and stimulating his brain.

Chris showed remarkable courage, bravery, strength and resolve. This was combined with the care plan and goals that were set by the multidisciplinary care team. His parents were a constant support along the arduous journey.

Three years on, the Chris people meet today is one very changed from he who lay fighting

‘We are blessed to have Knightsbridge in our Lives’ Chris senior is fulsome in his praise for the hospital staff who saved the life of Chris and Knightsbridge.

“I am forever grateful to the fantastic staff at Connolly and Beaumont Hospitals.

They saved his life and we are eternally grateful to Dr David Allcutt. We had to find a home for Chris to support his long-term care and look for a home with an acquired brain injury unit. We asked ourselves ‘have we really to do this for our young son?’ We had. We found Knightsbridge and we left here relieved there was such a place as this. The day arrived when Chris was discharged from Connolly to Knightsbridge.

I remember it well; he arrived in here strapped into his wheelchair and the first thing to be done was the strap was to be removed. We were worried about this as we’d been with Chris on this long, arduous journey. But this was symbolic. His life was beginning to change and it was happening

right in front of our eyes. We could see and feel it happening. We felt at ease and could sleep again. From then on with everyone’s help it began to happen. Knightsbridge care has brought a phenomenal recovery.

They encouraged and supported us to bring Chris swimming and it is astounding to follow his progress in the pool. With its warmth, friendliness and dedication to care, we are blessed to have Knightsbridge in our lives. Thank God, it is a wonderful and magnificent place. We went to Lourdes especially for him and I promised Our Lady some day I will bring Chris back here and it will happen next year.”

His reaction to his son receiving national recognition? “We are absolutely thrilled and it has been immense. Myself and my family have suffered with Chris because of his injuries but he is truly inspirational and courageous and deserving of this recognition. We are so proud of him.”

WINNER: Chris Norris, NHI Resident Achievement Award Winner 2014, pictured with his proud parents Ann and Chris senior. for his life in a hospital bed. Chris has regained controlled movement of his legs. He can communicate and hold conversation. He walks the grounds of Knightsbridge. His progression is extraordinary. He now swims on a weekly basis – an activity that has been instrumental in his recovery. Headway, a charity which aims to bring positive change to the lives of those affected by acquired brain injury, has and continues to support his rehabilitation.

Gillian adds: “It has been a long, arduous, painful and emotional road. But Chris’ life is as full as it was prior to the accident.

Yes it is very different but the common denominator is his happiness. Chris and his family spend enhanced quality time together and this looked beyond reach three years ago. His rehabilitation and recovery continues! On a daily basis he is undertaking physical and mental exercises as he continues on his road to recovery.”

Chris’ journey will continue beyond Knightsbridge Village. “Chris’ recovery has been so remarkable he is going to move to independent living,” Gillian explains. “We are so proud to see the transformation in this man’s life. He truly is an inspiration deserving of national recognition.

“Knightsbridge is a community and one of our core values is that we enjoy

SUPPORT: Gillian McDonald, Person in Charge at Knightsbridge, pictured left with Knightsbridge care staff and the remarkable Chris.

About the Resident Achievement Award The Nursing Homes Ireland Resident Achievement Award is very special recognition of the wonderful people who are at the centre of nursing home life: the residents. The award is established to celebrate the lives of individual residents and their continued achievements as members of the nursing home community. For many people a move to a nursing home can be a life-enriching experience, both for the individual resident and those they come in contact with. This award seeks to honour and celebrate such experience. CPL Healthcare are proud sponsors of the award.

giving people their independence. Nursing home care revitalises people and brings independence, support and happiness to them. Chris is a powerful and remarkable story. It is one of defying the odds and overcoming the most severe adversity.

“I am extremely proud of the lead role Knightsbridge and our team have played in supporting the recovery of Chris. We are very proud of the excellent care we provide in the nursing home sector. The care myself and my fellow colleagues provide is centred around our residents. We are committed to providing them with caring support, in being there for them to comfort and hold their hand, to enhance their lives by providing them with the appropriate health and social care they require, and by making them smile and their lives happy. We provide tremendous care within our sector that we are immensely proud of. The fantastic care being provided to Chris is replicated in other nursing homes across the country.”

In the coming weeks, Chris will edge closer to independent living when he moves back home to Leixlip, where his proud parents will support him.

It is fitting that Chris has the final word. “I want to thank my parents and the staff of Knightsbridge for their help, cooperation, consideration and support in my recovery. I am forever grateful and will greatly miss Knightsbridge. I am forever grateful to them for the care and support that has changed my life forever.”

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Privileged skilful roles bring immense satisfaction & ongoing engagement with ‘amazing’ people Within dedicated health and social care settings in communities across Ireland, Gerontological Rewarding and fulfilling roles nurses are applying multidisciplinary clinical I feel very proud to work in this sector.

‘A huge privilege’ skills to make a critical contribution to the You work with your heart. You get to know “I would stress the one ‘qualification’ any your residents and you build relationships health and wellbeing of older people person needs to work in care of the elderly that are in-severable.”

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hese men and women work within highly regulated professional settings and require key skills, competencies and considerable expertise to meet particular health and social care requirements of older people.

The report Exploring Nursing Expertise in Residential Care for Older People in Ireland points to the “unique characteristic of nursing in residential care”. “Working with older people requires specific skills, competencies which are drawn from the art and science of nursing, the integration of self into the role and the use of evidence-informed practice,” the report published February 2013 states. “The unique characteristic of nursing in residential care of the older person is that it allows the development of genuine and meaningful long-term relationships between staff and residents, which has the potential to enrich both parties’ lives.”

Report co-author Professor Brendan McCormack, Head of the Division of Nursing at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh, states: “Gerontological nursing is a speciality in its own right. To be a specialist in Gerontological nursing requires the advancement of sets of knowledge, skills, competencies and expertise that are particular to meeting the complex health and social care needs of older people.”

The report informs: “Care of the older person is increasingly acknowledged as a nursing speciality requiring specific professional knowledge, skills and career structure, however, working with older people does not always enjoy the same status within nursing as other areas such as the intensive care unit or other acute care environments.”

Gaynor Rhead, Practice Development Facilitator at Nursing Homes Ireland states: “Contrary to perception, nurses within residential care settings have responsibility for administering complex, skilled procedures and have more responsibility

and autonomy than counterparts within acute settings. They work within a highly regulated sector that places continuous emphasis upon skill development to meet increasingly complex care requirements of older people. Their role encompasses ongoing engagement with healthcare professionals, including GPs, occupational therapists, dieticians, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, social workers.”

Nurses working in residential care can have responsibility for administering: • Blood and blood product transfusions, • Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for sleep apnoea, • Subcutaneous fluids, • Intravenous antibiotics, • Infusion pumps, • Percutaneous endoscopic gastronomy tubes, • Catherisation.

Opportunities for graduate and experienced nurses exist within the private and voluntary nursing home sector. A Nursing Homes Ireland survey conducted in June revealed 232 jobs were presently available for nurses within the sector and 241 were anticipated to become available in the year ahead. Ms Rhead adds: “Our sector offers immensely challenging and rewarding clinical employment opportunities across Ireland.

Many graduates choose to emigrate out of necessity as opposed to choice; our Members are offering excellent opportunities. It is immensely rewarding to provide care to older persons and the focus on continuous professional development means nurses within our sector are continually upskilling.”

Exploring Nursing Expertise in Residential Care for Older People in Ireland is an All Ireland Gerontological Nurses Association, Nursing Homes Ireland, UCD and University of Ulster partnered research. You can download the report at www. nhi.ie. It is within the publications section.

Careers!

Are you interested in pursuing a challenging and rewarding nursing career in Gerontological care? www. careersinnursinghomes. ie is offering excellent, competitive opportunities within dedicated healthcare settings of nursing homes across the country. An array of nursing roles are advertised including those of Director of Nursing/Person in Charge, Assistant DON, and staff Nurse.

Opportunities present for

graduate, experienced and those nurses wishing to return to practice, and are throughout Ireland. The website

also provides advice for prospective nurses returning to practice and for overseas nursing candidates.

is the natural ability to work with your heart. It’s all about appreciating that you are a huge part of each resident’s day and a huge part of their life.

A big attraction is the emphasis on continuous professional development. It is to the fore in every nursing home, with nursing skills and experience on par and above those working in the acute sector. Nurses are more exposed to emergency situations without the backup that is available in the acute setting and therefore must make decisions using their clinical judgement and knowledge. The high standard of care is truly immeasurable.

In my role you are entrusted with peoples’ lives. This is a huge privilege but also brings a huge level of responsibility. Daily engagement with residents on a one-to-one level is vital. Other areas of responsibility include ensuring compliance with the National Standards for Older Persons in Residential Care Settings, compliance with Health Act, nursing home regulations, fire regulations, health & safety and employment law.

Sinead Beirne, Person in Charge, Annabeg Nursing Home, Ballybrack, Co Dublin

‘Continuous professional development’ “Nursing homes are regulated and have their ‘house in order’. Nurses are guided by up-to-date evidence-based policies and guidelines and mandatory training.

Continuous professional development is on-going. All employees are trained to a very high standard, as required by governing bodies.

Problems and issues associated with working in the acute sector are well documented. Staffing levels can be unsafe. Staff work under enormous pressure and can be disgruntled and worn out. I find myself working in an area where job satisfaction is top of the list, where I have time to talk to people, and where I go home at night with a smile on my face having had a rewarding and fulfilling day.

Working in a nursing home is an excellent choice of career. I feel privileged to work in the sector and I would not hesitate to recommend a career in care of the elderly to any one of my nursing colleagues.”

Marie Mc Cusker, Staff Nurse, Esker Lodge Nursing Home, Co Cavan

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Celebrating Excellence in Care

Nursing Homes intrinsic to healthcare delivery and window of opportunity must be accepted Utilising the expertise within the highly regulated nursing home sector and harnessing its resources will offer substantial scope to meet our population’s health and social care requirements at community level and deliver huge benefits to local and national economy, Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO writes.

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he American author Alan Lakein is quoted: “Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” It is an apt truism for Ireland’s long-term residential care sector.

A BDO report published in February entitled Health’s Ageing Crisis: Time for Action – A Future Strategy for Ireland’s LongTerm Residential Care Sector warns: “The provision of residential care for our ageing population is rapidly heading for crisis; however this is a situation that can, with the appropriate actions, be avoided.”

As a population we are living longer and growing older. Let’s celebrate and embrace this. To do so, we must ensure the appropriate health and social support structures are in place to enable our older population realise their potential and live fulfilling lives.

Since assuming office, An Taoiseach Enda Kenny has stated on number of occasions the Government will strive to ensure Ireland becomes the best small country in the world to grow old with dignity and respect.

But Ireland has made little or no preparations for the demographic development of our ‘older old’. The reality is we are ill-prepared for it and, like with many other solutions, the focus has only been on the short-term. Inaction will have huge implications for our society, our health service and unconscionably for our older persons.

We must plan and act now. The evidence is compelling. The CSO is projecting the population over 65 will grow by as much as 62% between 2011 and 2026. However with our population aged 85+ there is significant growth in numbers requiring the specialist, dedicated care of nursing homes.

Approximately one in five persons aged 85+ require long-term residential care. The CSO states the “very old population” will rise “dramatically” in coming years, projecting population aged 85+ will increase 46% by 2021 – only seven years from now! The levels of frailty and complexity of the medical needs for people in that age cohort increases, prompting a greater and often essential need for residential care. The prevalence of dementia increases with age. The number of people with the condition will double in the next 20 years and treble in the next 35 years.

The sustainability of current provision is being undermined by the failure of the State to accept the requirement for a ‘Fair Price for Care’. Nursing home operators must receive a proper price to remain viable – a ‘Fair Price for Care’ that recognises the true cost and also provides return on investment. The model of funding must provide a sustainable basis for the delivery of high quality nursing home care and allow for on-going investment in the sector.

NHI and our members fully support the national quality standards and have embraced the HIQA regime, but 93% of respondents to a recent Ipsos MRBI survey of nursing home providers cited compliance with standards as the area where cost increases have been most significant over the past three years.

In conjunction with this, there is a monopoly purchaser imposing a ‘price cap’ on the fee for private and voluntary nursing home care, so the resulting pressure on the sector is clear. In tandem with the significant increased cost of regulation, members through the Ipsos MRBI survey are reporting increases in other operating costs including for example energy, food, cost of finance, commercial rates.

At this point in time, private and voluntary nursing homes are, on average, expected to provide complex care to residents at an average of 50% per week less than it costs the State in public nursing homes. By any comparative measure, private and voluntary nursing homes represent the best value option available to Government for providing long stay care for older people. The harsh reality is that the State wants to purchase care from the private sector at fees which are significantly less than what it costs the State itself to provide such care. It also needs to grasp the nettle of transferring funds from one system of care to another. Why should acute hospitals, just so they hold on to budgets, end up with people in beds, costing multiples of nursing home cost that could be more appropriately cared for in a nursing home while increasing numbers are in hospital emergency departments awaiting admission.

A ‘Fair Price for Care’ together with more transparency relating to the fee negotiation process would ensure sustainability of the current provision, provide certainty to providers and may encourage members to re-invest and expand existing nursing homes to provide the capacity that is badly needed. That would be a win-win for all – primarily the older people, our health service and for local economies.

Nursing home care is integral to a proper functioning health service. It has a fundamental role to play in ensuring Government meet objective of providing care to people at lowest level of complexity.

The key role it plays in healthcare delivery is evident within the hundreds of nursing homes in communities across Ireland providing care to 27,000 people but also within our acute hospitals. In recent weeks news reports and debates in Leinster House have been focussing on the extraordinary numbers approved for Fair Deal but awaiting payment and the four month period to secure financial support to enable access to the specialist care provided by nursing homes. The HSE has reported continuous increases in numbers delayed discharged in Irish hospitals, and 75% of such persons are awaiting nursing home care. As the numbers awaiting Fair Deal are increasing at a significant rate, the HSE is reporting a continuing increase in numbers in hospitals delayed discharged - clinically fit to leave hospital care but remaining within hospital.

By consequence, there has been a decrease in elective admissions and pressures have been placed upon emergency departments.

Approx 27,000 people live in nursing homes, receiving dedicated,

Tadhg Daly: Nursing home care has fundamental role to play in ensuring Government meet objective of providing care to people at lowest level of complexity specialist care on a continuous basis in ‘home from home’ settings.

The time is nigh. We must embrace the responsibility that comes with a population that is growing older and living longer. The Nursing Home Support Scheme, commonly known as Fair Deal, must be adequately resourced and ‘future-proofed’, cognisant of the substantial growth in numbers that will require such care in the years ahead.

Denying persons timely access to nursing home care has significant implications for wider health service delivery, as evident from numbers delayed discharge stated above.

We must plan and act appropriately.

The reality for our sector – and we are just one of many stakeholders – is that we don’t know what the future strategy of the country is in relation to meeting our ageing demographics care and social requirements.

NHI has consistently called upon the Department of Health to fulfil its role and provide leadership in this regard. A Department-led forum must be established to bring key stakeholders together to map out the future of nursing home care and implement an appropriate framework to meet the significant growing requirement for it.

Minister Lynch has indicated a strong willingness in this regard. Referencing a meeting with Nursing Homes Ireland representatives that took place in June, she stated in Seanad Éireann later that month: “We agreed at the meeting to develop an overarching plan to cater for the needs of the population as we age. This will involve elements of the various strategies we have already developed. It was also agreed that all the stakeholders - nursing home providers and other public and private service providers in community and longstay care - will talk to one another with

everyone’s views being taken on board.

This is a very positive development. It is within that type of planning that we will be able to consider what type of interaction will be necessary into the future.”

Utilising the expertise within the highly regulated nursing home sector and harnessing its resources will offer substantial scope to meet our population’s health and social care requirements at community level and deliver huge benefits to local and national economy. Nursing homes play a central role in provision of care in local communities throughout Ireland and have the expertise and commitment to meet the requirements in respect of developing a true continuum of care to include respite, intermediate, rehab and home care, independent and assisted living, within our local communities.

Associate Senior Researcher at the European Centre for Social Welfare Policy & Research, Kai Leichsenring, speaking at NHI conference last week stated that Ireland is at a juncture that presents a window of opportunity to proactively plan now for its rapidly ageing society and it can learn from the experiences of European neighbours.

Ensuring the significant numbers growing older have access in a timely manner to the continuous, life enhancing care that is provided by nursing homes can play a lead role in enabling An Taoiseach fulfil his Government objective. The famous phrase ‘a goal without a plan is just a wish’ is apt in such respect. Let’s assume responsibility to plan now for our ageing population.

Ministers Varakdar and Lynch have an opportunity to leave a lasting legacy in respect of planning for, and meeting the needs of Irelands ageing population.

NHI and our members are ready to play our part.

NHI Care Awards 2014 It was an outstanding night recognising the superb care being provided by NHI Members across the country. Over 400 people from the nursing home and wider health and older persons sectors gathered at Citywest Hotel 6th November for the Nursing Homes Ireland Care Awards 2014. The annual celebration recognises the dedication and outstanding care that is provided on a daily basis by wide-

ranging staff in nursing homes in communities across Ireland.

Nursing homes were recognised for their role within their local communities and for innovations in dementia care.

Michael McCoy of Moorehall Lodge and Moorehall Living was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the sector and Chris Norris of Knightsbridge Nursing Home, Co Meath, was named the Resident Achievement Award Winner.

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Nursing Home Director of Nursing/Person in Charge Award Sponsored by Homecare Medical Supplies WINNER Maggie Henderson of Sligo Nursing Home (Mowlam), Ballytivnan, Sligo, is pictured receiving the Nursing Home Director of Nursing/Person in Charge Award with Event MC Gráinne Seoige and Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO.

FINALISTS Ann Marie Mitchell Ashford House Nursing Home, 6 Tivoli Terrace East, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin Maura O Sullivan St Gobnait’s Nursing Home Drewscourt, Ballyagran, Kilmallock, Co Limerick

Nursing Home Registered Nurse of the Year Award Sponsored by First Choice Purchasing WINNER Philomena Walsh of Innis Ree Lodge, Ballyleague, Lanesboro, Co Roscommon, is pictured receiving the Nursing Home Registered Nurse of the Year Award with Event MC Gráinne Seoige and Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO.

FINALISTS Siby Joseph Ashford House Nursing Home, 6 Tivoli Terrace East, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin Guiping Zeng Maryfield Nursing Home, Lucan Road, Chapelizod, Dublin 20.

Nursing Home Carer of the Year Award Sponsored by Pharmacy Prime WINNER Kieran Carbery of Rockshire Care Centre, Rockshire Road, Ferrybank, Waterford is pictured receiving the Nursing Home Carer of the Year Award with Event MC Gráinne Seoige and Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO.

FINALISTS Elzbieta Duda Rush Nursing Home (Mowlam), Kenure Park, Rush, Co Dublin Richard Villanueva Ashford House Nursing Home, 6 Tivoli Terrace East, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Nursing Home Social & Recreational Programme Award Sponsored by Miele WINNER Ann Moore of Ashford House Nursing Home, 6 Tivoli Terrace East, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin, pictured receiving the Nursing Home Social & Recreational Programme Award from Gráinne Seoige, Event MC, and Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO.

FINALISTS Elaine Kearney Castleross Nursing & Convalescent Centre, Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan Mary O’Carroll Drakelands House Nursing Home, Drakelands, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny

NHI Lifetime Achievement Award Sponsored by NHI WINNER Michael McCoy of Moorehall Living & Moorehall Lodge, Ardee, Co Louth, pictured receiving the NHI Lifetime Achievement Award from Gráinne Seoige, Event MC, and Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO.

NURSING HOMES IRELAND CARE AWARDS

2014 www.nhicareawards.ie

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Excellence in Care

Nursing Home Catering and Nutrition Award Sponsored by Fresenius Kabi WINNER Kevin Cahill of Glenaulin Nursing Home, Lucan Road, Chapelizod, Dublin 20, is pictured receiving the Nursing Home Catering and Nutrition Award with Gráinne Seoige, Event MC, and Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO.

FINALISTS Martina Dunne Droimnin Nursing Home, Brockley Park, Stradbally, Co Laois Terry Tiernan Ashford House Nursing Home, 6 Tivoli Terrace East, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Nursing Home Ancillary Worker Award Sponsored by iD Expert WINNER Sr Margaret Deegan of TLC Citywest, Cooldown Commons, Fortunestown Lane, Citywest, Co Dublin is pictured receiving the Nursing Home Ancillary Worker Award with Gráinne Seoige, Event MC, and Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO.

FINALISTS Severino Cachapero Ferndene Nursing Home, Deansgrange Road, Blackrock, Co. Dublin Ollie Stapleton Maypark House Nursing Home Maypark Lane, Waterford

Nursing Home Community Initiative Award Sponsored by Bank of Ireland WINNER Shane Hennessy of TLC Santry, Northwood Business Park, Santry, Dublin 9, is pictured receiving the Nursing Home Community Initiative Award with Gráinne Seoige, Event MC, and Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO.

FINALISTS Activities Team Ashford House Nursing Home, 6 Tivoli Terrace East, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin

Nursing Home Innovations in Dementia Care Award Sponsored by BDO WINNER Jackie Kay of Knightsbridge Nursing Home, Longwood Road, Trim, Co Meath, is pictured receiving the Nursing Home Innovations in Dementia Care Award with Gráinne Seoige, Event MC, and Tadhg Daly, NHI CEO.

NURSING HOMES IRELAND CARE AWARDS

2014 www.nhicareawards.ie

FINALISTS Dun Beag Unit Staff Our Lady of Lourdes Nursing Home, Kilcummin Village, Killarney, Co Kerry Ferndene Team Ferndene Nursing Home, Deansgrange Road, Blackrock, Co Dublin

Nursing Home Resident Achievement Award 2014 Sponsored by CPL Healthcare WINNER Christopher Norris of Knightsbridge Nursing Home, Longwood Road, Trim, Co Meath, is pictured with his award with his parents Ann and Chris (Senior).

NHI Care Awards Judging Panel 2014 Mr Rodd Bond, Director, The Netwell Centre, Dundalk Institute of Technology Ms Margot Brennan, Former PRO, Irish Nutrition & Dietetic Institute Ms Sharon Foley, CEO Irish Hospice Foundation Ms Susan Kent, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer for Women’s Health & Primary Care Services, Department of Health Dr Amanda Phelan, Co-Director, NCPOP Mr Eamon Timmins, Head of Advocacy & Communications, Age Action Ireland

NHI Care Awards 2014 Sponsors Homecare Medical Supplies are delighted to be associated as sponsors with the NHI Care Awards 2014. We would like to congratulate Maggie Henderson, from Mowlam Nursing Home, Sligo, winner of The Nursing Home Director Of Nursing/Person in Charge Award, and indeed all finalists in all categories.

These awards highlight the obvious dedication and commitment of all Nursing Home management and staff nationwide towards patient care. We thank NHI members for their continued support to our company over many years and we seek to provide quality service in the future.

Bank of Ireland, a leading lender to the Healthcare sector, has been proudly sponsoring the NHI Care Awards since their inauguration in 2010. With a dedicated Healthcare team, we know that a Nursing Home is more than a place of business; it is a place of care. We are proud to be involved in recognising those who provide excellence in care.

Congratulations to Shane Hennessy from TLC Santry on winning our sponsored category of the Community Initiative Award!

As leading advisers to the nursing home sector in Ireland, BDO recognises the vital role played by nursing home operators throughout the country, in meeting the long-term residential care needs of some of our most vulnerable members of society. We are delighted to continue our association and support of the NHI Care Awards, and wish to congratulate both the nominees and winners who have been recognised by the sector for pursuing best practice and demonstrating excellence in care.

Cpl Healthcare is the exclusive recruitment partner to the NHI for the last number of years. The NHI Awards are a real highlight for us, to meet the Nursing Home Owners / Staff and Residents every year is a great opportunity to celebrate excellent service and hear about development in the sector.

First Choice Purchasing Ltd are the sole nominated procurement partner for Nursing Homes Ireland.

Our team work closely with the members of NHI by helping them reduce their costs for all goods and services without compromising on quality and service.

Congratulations to all the nominees and winners at the Care Awards, most especially Philomena Walsh who won the Nursing Home Registered Nurse of the Year Award, sponsored by First Choice Purchasing Ltd. These awards recognise the commitment and effort of those who are enhancing the living standards for the residents that they provide care for. We are delighted and proud to be associated with both Nursing Homes Ireland and their Care Awards.

Fresenius Kabi is proud to sponsor the Nursing Homes Ireland Care Awards and offer our sincere congratulations to all finalists and winners this year. Special congratulations to Kevin Cahill from Glenaulin Nursing Home who won the Catering & Nutrition Award, sponsored by Fresenius Kabi. To all the finalists and winners, the Fresenius Kabi team is continually inspired by your dedication and hard work, and delighted to support you in making a positive difference in the lives of nursing home residents throughout Ireland.

Ontex Healthcare is fully committed to the NHI awards and has now been heavily involved for a number of years. As well as sponsoring a category award, this year we also chose to launch our new iD Expert brand at the Conference. This gave us the perfect opportunity to get the new iD Expert brand in front of a large number of Nursing Home clients and to answer any questions they had about the brand change. We are delighted to be involved in such a prestigious event and are always honoured to meet award nominees, especially Nursing Home Clients.

Miele Professional wish to congratulate and commend NHI on such a professional and successful night. We are delighted to be associated with this event. We would also like to congratulate Ann Moore, Ashford House Nursing Home on winning the Social & Recreational Programme Award.

Calor Gas Ireland are delighted to support the NHI Care Awards 2014 and to be associated with such a professional and worthwhile event. We’d like to take the opportunity to once again congratulate all of this year’s winners and wish them and all the finalists well for the year ahead in the very important and essential roles they have in Nursing Homes across Ireland.

Celebrating Excellence in Care

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NURSING HOMES IRELAND CARE AWARDS

2014 www.nhicareawards.ie