The Village Residence in Louth officially opened

Minister for Older People and Housing, Kieran O’Donnell TD, on Thursday officially opened The Village Residence Drogheda, Co Louth.

The Village Residence, renamed and with additional beds is an expanded residence for people requiring long-term and short-term care. Butterfly Cottage, Red Robin Cottage, and Forget-Me-Not Cottage are each ten-bedded homely cottages where people with dementia, in varying degrees of need, are cared for by expert staff.

Butterfly Cottage offers a warm and welcoming environment for residents with advanced dementia, providing specialised dementia and palliative care services, tailored to their needs.

Red Robin Cottage is a home for individuals experiencing the progressing symptoms of dementia, who may also face frailty and other long term medical conditions. Forget-Me-Not provides a supportive and nurturing space for residents who now require full-time assistance due to their advancing dementia symptoms.

Among the pre-existing 30 beds located in The Village Residence are five allocated for providing respite and short stay services. This service allows residents to take a break, meet new people, and participate in activities and recreational pursuits that they may not have been able to enjoy without additional support. The Village works in an integrated manner with community services, voluntary organisations, and acute services to support people in living as fulfilled lives as possible.

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Speaking at the official opening Minister O’Donnell said “It is fantastic to see public nursing home services being delivered in the town that many of the residents hale from. It provides the supports people with dementia need in a homely environment within the wider community. 

"The Village is an excellent example of a multi-disciplinary site and as the HSE continue on their integrated healthcare journey, I am keen to see further examples of integrated working, as exhibited here with all involved working together for the betterment of local older person’s experience.”

Patrick Clerkin, IHA Manager for Louth Meath said “This newly built establishment is a cutting-edge facility that effortlessly encapsulates the spirit of a traditional village. Constructed with the intent to foster serene and reminiscent surroundings, it provides people experiencing dementia with a space to enjoy and live fulfilled lives. Every element, from the cosy cottages to the captivating cobblestone walkways, has been meticulously planned to evoke a feeling of homeliness and warmth.

"We know that when someone moves into long-term residential care, families may feel that they have lost a family member. However, it is hoped that the thought and effort that has gone in to designing The Village Residence will help families feel and experience remaining together, by being able to visit when they wish and see The Village Residence as an extension of their own home.’’