Interim day care facility found for elderly

THE Health Service Executive (HSE) has acquired an interim facility for a local day care centre for the elderly that closed down last September.

Up until then, approximately 100 pensioners had been using the facilities provided at St Gabriel’s Nursing Home, Edenmore.

The HSE ran the day care facility with approximately 20 people per day visiting the centre from Monday to Friday.

There was major disappointment among local senior citizens and their families following the closure.

However, the HSE has confirmed to Northside People that it has found an interim facility at Parnell’s GAA Club in Coolock Village.

“The interim measure will be in place until permanent premises are secured,

? a spokesperson for the HSE told Northside People.

“The HSE are hopeful that a permanent location will be secured shortly.

“This service will not be in a position to accommodate all previous clients as this facility will not be suitable for heavy dependent clients.

“The practice will continue that clients will be asked to make a contribution towards transport costs should they not be in a position to provide transport themselves.

?

Donaghmede ward councillor Tom Brabazon (FF) said that while the restarting of the day centre was very welcome, it was

“not adequate

? and cannot cater for the number of people who used the previous facility at St Gabriel’s.

“The HSE state that this new facility in Parnell’s is unsuitable for heavy dependent clients and that they will be assessing clients who may be suitable to avail of the new service over the coming weeks,

? he stated.

“This is a very unsatisfactory situation and is very unfair on many of the elderly who depend on this service for any weekly outing at all.

“The HSE have told me that they are hopeful of securing a long-term location for the day centre shortly.

“I will continue to press hard until the new location is secured and made ready to cater for all the elderly who used the previous facility in St Gabriel’s.

“I am disgusted that so many of our elderly who are totally dependent on this facility have had to wait so long for a replacement centre and then find that the interim location can only cater for a small number.

?

Cllr Brabazon is urging the HSE to finalise a permanent location without further delay and to ensure that all previous clients are informed of progress.

“Also, it is vital that there is no cost-cutting measures put on the transportation of people to and from the new centre as so many are infirm or unable to get to the centre themselves,

? he added.

“This is their only opportunity to get out each week.

?

St Gabriel’s Nursing Home in Edenmore is now operating under private ownership.