Project name
Western Alzheimer

Location
Ballindine

Details
Western Alzheimer was established in the early 1990s to provide help and support to carers and families of loved ones living with Alzheimer disease. Currently 55,000 people live with dementia in Ireland, 5,500 of whom live in counties Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. The 360,000 hours of care provided annually supports families impacted by dementia and allows the person living with dementia to remain in their own home and lead a meaningful life in the community. Western Alzheimer believe that people impacted by dementia have the right to quality person centered care based on respect, dignity and best practice standards.

Services Today Western Alzheimer provides a wide range of services across the counties of Galway, Mayo and Roscommon which includes • In home support providing 55,000 hours of care annually to circa 250 families. • Day care services St. Francis, Galway; Marian House Ballindine; Maryfield NH, Athenry and Fourmilehouse, Roscommon providing 19,000 hours of care annually to circa 40 families. We intend to expand day care services which plays a vital role in assisting people living with dementia remain in their homes and communities. • Respite services provided in Marian House and Maryfield Nursing Home totalling 110,000 hours of care annually to circa 140 families.

This project relates to services provided in Marian House, Ballindine in County Mayo. The aim of the project is to maintain and enhance this service in order to provide specialized dementia respite care and offer more families and carers essential respite breaks.   The total number of families who availed of respite in 2016 was 140 which includes 45 new admissions. Western Alzheimer plan to increase capacity to meet demand which is funding dependent. The project cost is €725,000. The organization has secured €300,000 co-funding from the Department of Health. This leaves a shortfall in funding of €425,000.

Outputs: • By bringing the facility up to the Health Department standards, it ensures that it is in compliance and will continue to have a license to operate • It will improve the quality of care as rooms will now be ensuite and will have all the necessary equipment required to meet the needs of residents • It will provide employment opportunities in Ballindine, Co. Mayo • The extra bedrooms will result in 8,200 hours of additional care due to increased capacity. Outcomes: • There will be 10 jobs created for a 6-month period during the construction stage • It guarantees the sustainability of the current workforce of 40 from the local community and will also result in the addition of 2 new full time posts.

Western Alzheimer is reaching out the Mayo diaspora to assist the local Mayo community in raising $450,000 in addition to the $340,000 co-funding offer from the Department of Health.