Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Margaret Conlon has praised the facilities and work at a local Castleblaney residential home for the elderly. Deputy Conlon was speaking during a Dáil debate on nursing home care.

“The majority of our older people want to stay in their homes for as long as possible with their independence, dignity and family and community support.”

“We wish that for ourselves and for the older members of our families but in some cases that is not possible and it is then incumbent on us to ensure there is equality and fairness in getting access to quality nursing home care.”

“The nursing home support scheme, the fair deal, means a uniform system of financial support for individuals in public and private nursing home beds. It ensures individuals and their families do not face financial hardship.”

“It is important that the standards of such care are of the highest quality. Nothing else can be acceptable. They deserve nothing less.”

“In providing residential care to the elderly, we have a mix of private and public facilities. In my constituency, we are fortunate to have an excellent quality of care. That is much more important than the physical buildings. In St. Mary’s Hospital, Castleblayney, we have a residential public facility that has achieved ISO standard. It is a centre of excellence where the patient is at the heart of everything that goes on in the facility.”

“Recently I visited a facility outside Carrickmacross with the Minister for Health and Children were the McCoy family have developed the concept of a home away from home. The first thing that struck me when I entered the facility was that each unit has its own front door, doorbell and letterbox. One walks into a very inviting sitting room and kitchen and there is no need to go to the bedrooms. I was struck by the fact that people felt at home in their new place of residence. The McCoy family has made major investment in this facility and they make every effort to ensure the needs of their patients are met,” concluded Deputy Conlon.